Parotidectomy by an endoscopic-assisted postauricular-groove approach.

BACKGROUND

To investigate the feasibility of an endoscopic-assisted postauricular-groove approach parotidectomy and to evaluate the advantages and limitations of such an approach.

METHODS

A total of 72 patients with parotid gland tumors underwent a parotidectomy procedure between January 2014 and January 2016. Of the aforementioned patients, 15 were treated by a postauricular-groove approach (group I), whereas the remaining 57 were treated by the Blair "S" incision (group II).

RESULTS

Difference in visual analogue scale score for aesthetic outcome (0 vs 3) and median intraoperative blood loss (30 vs 50 mL) was statistically significant. Operation time and transient facial nerve paralysis were comparable. No recurrence of tumors was found in either group.

CONCLUSION

The endoscopic-assisted postauricular-groove approach for limited parotid tumor resection offers several advantages over the conventional "S" incision parotidectomy. In addition, it is arguably safer and results in a superior aesthetic outcome.