Application of retroauricular sulcus incision in surgery of parotid gland tumor

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the application of retroauricular sulcus incision in surgery for benign tumor in superficial lobe of parotid gland. Methods: A total of 20 patients were reviewed who underwent the resection of benign tumor in the superficial lobe of parotid gland with retroauricular sulcus incision at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, the Linyi City People Hospital between May 2015 and March 2017. There were 12 males and 8 females with an age range of 12-66 years old, including 15 cases with mixed tumor and 5 cases with adenolymphoma. Surgical procedure included facial never dissection from the main trunk to facial never cervical trunk, temporal trunk and peripheral branches. After resection of tumor and superficial lobe of parotid gland, and sternocleidomastoid muscle flap was used to fill the defect in parotid area. All patients were postoperatively followed up after surgery. Results: Surgeries were successfully operated in all patients. Follow-up for 2 years showed there was no presence of recurrence, salivary fistula, Frey syndrome, scar affecting facial appearance, or significant deformity in the surgical area. Conclusion: Surgery for superficial lobe of parotid gland and facial nerve dissection through retroauricular sulcus incision have some advantages such as incision concealment, simple procedure for facial nerve dissection, simultaneous repair of tissue defects with sternocleidomastoid muscle flap, and less complications.