The dissected nerve should be covered by wet gauze to avoid exposure to the air. Bleeding from capillary vessels should be stopped by the pressure of wet gauze, as some blood vessels are distributed along with the nerve. The facial nerve is readily damaged if artery forceps are used for haemostasis. The dissection may be continued in the other areas of the gland whilst attaining this haemostasis. The bifurcation of the nerve is close to the retromandibular vein, and any fine branches of the vein should be ligated and carefully sectioned.
Suction is suggested to ensure a clear operational field.
Any bleeding vessel should be carefully clipped with a haemostat to avoid damage to the nerve. The branching ducts of the gland must be distinguished from the facial nerve. In general, the nerve is white and shiny, while the duct is grey and dull. The parotid duct is resected by the traditional technique of superficial parotidectomy. The parotid remnant atrophies spontaneously.