Minimal Scar Dissection for Partial Parotidectomy via a Modified Cosmetic Incision and an Advanced Wound Closure Method.

[PURPOSE] To evaluate the usefulness of the modified cosmetic incision (MCI) and advanced wound closure method in partial parotidectomy by comparison with the modified Blair incision (MBI).

[PATIENTS AND METHODS] This study retrospectively enrolled 44 patients who underwent partial parotidectomy for benign parotid tumors. These patients were divided into 2 groups: MCI group and MBI group. The MCI surgical procedures were performed via a minimal facelift incision with no preauricular incision, postauricular and hairline incision, or extensive hairline incision and an advanced wound closure method, using continuous absorbable intradermal sutures and skin adhesive. The MBI surgical procedures were performed via a conventional MBI and standard transdermal, interrupted, nonabsorbable suturing approach. The operation variables and the cosmetic results of the patients in each group were compared.

[RESULTS] A total of 23 patients underwent the MCI and advanced wound closure approach and 21 patients underwent the MBI and standard wound closure approach. No significant differences were found in gender, mean age, tumor size, or tumor site between the 2 groups (P > .05). No differences between groups were seen in operative time and intraoperative blood loss volume (P > .05). Several postoperative complications, such as facial paralysis, Frey syndrome, salivary fistula, infection, or tumor recurrence, did not differ between the 2 groups (P > .05). However, postoperative drainage volume in the MCI group was significantly lower than that in the MBI group (P < .01). Moreover, the postoperative cosmetic satisfaction, skin numbness, and scar evaluation results in the MCI group were better than those in the MBI group (P < .001).

[CONCLUSIONS] MCI combined with continuous absorbable intradermal sutures and skin adhesive for partial parotidectomy is technically feasible and safe and could produce excellent cosmetic outcomes in selected patients with benign parotid tumors.