ObjectiveTo explore a novel approach for identification of the facial nerve trunk so as to guild the dissection and protection of the facial nerve in parotidectomy.MethodsThrough anatomical and clinical investigations, the anatomical relationships among the intersection of facial nerve trunk and the posterior margin of the mandible and surrounding anatomical points were measured. In the clinical investigation, the patients were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. The facial nerve trunk was identified with different approaches respectively in the two groups. The operation time and bleeding volume in both groups were recorded and analyzed statistically.ResultsThe differences of the data (AO distance and αangle) obtained anatomically and intraoperatively were statistically insignificant(both P>0.05). The operation time and bleeding volume of the experimental group were 10.4±5.3 min and 11.0±3.5 ml, respectively. And those of the control group were 23.0±6.7 min and 45.5±6.4 ml. Their differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P=0.000).ConclusionIn favor of safe and prompt dissection of facial nerve trunk, the novel approach we proposed is of great importance for the parotid surgery.