CASE REPORTS: The platysma muscle in neck dissection

Although the platysma muscle is usually preserved during neck dissection, removal of this muscle is generally considered inconsequential. The present case report shows that sacrifice of the cervical branch of the facial nerve innervating this muscle and removal of the platysmaʹs upper portion impairs the caudal retraction and eversion of the ipsilateral half of the lower lip in grinning or laughing.