Extracapsular dissection of benign tumors at the posterioinferior portion of parotid gland using a retroauricular hairline incision approach

Aim:A clinical perspective study was designed for patients undergoing a modified incision and parotidectomy to reduce complications of parotidectomy. Methods: Seventy-eight patients were divided randomly into two groups;group 1(45 cases) was treated with preserving the fascia parotideomasseterica and great auricular nerve and partial parotidectomy using a retroauricular hairline incision approach.group 2(33 cases) was operated on via superficial parotidectomy using routine S-shaped incision.All patients were followed up for 3~9 years,blood loss,operating time,temporary facial paralysis,tumour recurrence were compared between the two groups.The incidence of Frey's syndrome was clinically evaluated by Minor test(starch-iodine test).The feeling of the region around the auricular lobule and facialdeformity was also evaluated.The data were analyzed using SPSS13.0 software package for Student's t test and Chi-square test.Results: The bleeding volume,operating time and temporary facial paralysis in group 1 was significantly lower than that in group 2.There was no significant difference between the two groups in sialosyrinx and tumor recurrence.The incidence of Frey's syndrome in group 1 was significantly lower than that in group 2 by objective observation、 Minor test and Patient satisfaction for scar(P0.05).There was significant difference between the feeling before and after operation in the auricular lobule.Conclusion:The modified parotidectomy using a retroauricular hairline incision approach is a function-preserving surgery for benign parotid tumours,which improves the cosmetics,the feeling around ear,reduces the operating time,and the incidence of Frey's syndrome.