New methodology for facial nerve monitoring in extracranial surgeries of vascular malformations

Highlights • We developed a new methodology that allows continuous recording of CMAP by stimulating the facial nerve extracranially throughout surgery. • Our methodology reduces the incidence of complete facial nerve injury to 1.5% during surgery of vascular malformations. • This methodology may prevent facial nerve injury during other types of extracranial surgeries where radical excisions are required.