Esthetic concerns in the planning of parotidectomy incisions

Abstract

Background Surgeons have utilized the traditional Blair’s incision (or a variation of it) to conduct parotidectomy. A variety of esthetic deformities, including hollowed-out preauricular and infra-auricular abnormalities and visible scars, can arise. The Appiani and Delfino standard facelift incision was then changed to facilitate exposure of parotid gland lesions, which ranged in size from minor to moderate. Patients and methods A total of 50 consecutive patients who were scheduled for parotidectomy due to benign disease were included in this research. Included were patients with benign parotid illness recommended for either a superficial or complete conservative parotidectomy. Using the closed envelope procedure, all eligible patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A and group B (25 each). For a total of 3 months, the patients were monitored weekly for the first 4 weeks and then every 2 weeks to identify any early and late postoperative problems. Results In group A, the mean age was 42.6±8.65 years, while in group B, it was 44±10.1 years (P=0.126). In group A, the mean operating time was 140±18.8, but in group B, it was 164±26.9 (P=0.089). There was no discernible statistical difference between the two groups in terms of postoperative discomfort, operational hematoma, hospital stay, facial nerve palsy, or hypertrophic scars. Patients in group B were substantially happier with their esthetic results than those in group A (P=0.05). Conclusion It is safe to do the parotidectomy using the modified facelift incision and it allows good exposure of the parotid gland comparable to the conventional Blair’s incision. It provides a significantly better cosmetic outcome.