[The clinical application of modified rhytidectomy incision in superficial parotid tumor surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the modified rhytidectomy incision in superficial parotidectomy. METHOD: Thirty-five patients with superficial parotid tumor were included in this study. A modified rhytidectomy incision often used in facial plastic surgery was used for superficial parotidectomy and subtotal superficial parotidectomy with preservation of facial nerve and great auricular nerve. The follow-up study included the exposed region, the cosmetic effect of this approach and the rate of complication. RESULT: All patients healed without salivary fistula, and were satisfied with this modified approach. Temporary paralysis of the marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve were found in five patients, and six patients felt insensible around earlobe after operation. They all recovered in 1 to 3 months after surgery, no recurrence was happened during follow-up in 36 to 60 months (median follow-up period was 48 months). CONCLUSION: The modified rhytidectomy incision provided good exposure, had less complication and better cosmetic outcome.