A comparison of endoscopy-assisted and conventional partial-superficial parotidectomy / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility of endoscopy-assisted partial-superficial parotidectomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>38 cases with benign tumors located in the superficial lobe of the parotid gland were randomly assigned to receive conventional (20 cases) or endoscopic (18 cases) partial-superficial parotidectomy. Two short incisions, which were 2 to approximately 2.5 cm in length and located at retromandibular and postauricular area, were adopted for endoscopy-assisted surgery. The facial nerve was dissected through retrograde approach.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The tumors were successfully resected with endoscopy in 18 cases. The operation time was not significantly different between the conventional and endoscopy-assisted procedures (P > 0.05). The intraoperative blood loss was markedly lower in endoscopy-assisted group, compared with conventional group (P < 0.01). All the 18 cases with endoscopy-assisted surgery were satisfactory with the postoperative cosmetic results. The great auricular nerve was preserved very well in 12 patients (66.6%). Transient facial paralysis happened in 1 case and relieved 1 month later. Salivary fistula occurred in 1 case and recovered after dressing with pressure for 2 weeks. All the patients were followed up for 24 to approximately 50 months (mean, 39 months) without relapse.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Endoscopy-assisted partial-superficial parotidectomy can successfully treat benign tumors located in the superficial lobe of parotid gland with a better postoperative cosmetic result.</p>