Parotidectomy via Individualized Mini-Blair Incision

Abstract

Background: The modified Blair incision is the standard facial incision for the vast majority of parotid gland lesions. We utilize three types of incisions: “classic mini-Blair” for parotid body tumors, “cervical mini-Blair” for parotid tail tumors, and “vertical mini-Blair” for anterior parotid tumors. In this study, we describe the surgical and esthetic outcomes of these individually tailored incisions. Methods: Patients undergoing parotidectomy between 2011 and 2013 were included. The surgical outcomes and patients’ satisfaction were assessed. Results: Of 122 patients, 89 were included. All patients completed a questionnaire assessing the postoperative course and patients’ satisfaction regarding the surgery in general and the scar in particular. Among these patients, 78 (87%) had a benign pathology and 11 (13%) had malignant tumors. The tumors were located at the parotid body in 57 patients (64%), at the parotid tail in 19 (21%), at the deep lobe in 8 (9%), and at the anterior parotid gland in 5 (6%). All tumors were removed successfully with negative margins on pathology. No inadvertent permanent facial nerve paralysis occurred. The median operation time was 72 min (23–211). The average patient scores of satisfaction with the surgical scar and with the surgery were 9.54 and 9.72, respectively. Conclusions: Individualized mini-Blair incision is feasible for benign as well as selected malignant parotid tumors.