Vol.97 No.12
contentsPRACTICA OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGICA
Vol. 97 No.12 December 2004
Facelift Incision for Parotidectomy
Michiya
Kosaka, Tetsuo Ohue, Kazunori Tanimoto, Saeko Orita,
Yorihisa Orita, Manabu Maeta and Kazunori Nishizaki
(Okayama University)
In Japan, most commonly used incision for parotidectomies is an S-shaped incision. The major problem with this incision is the visible scar in the preauricular and cervical area. To obtain more cosmetic approach to parotid surgery, Appiani suggested in 1967 that a facelift incision (rhytidectomy incision) be used to expose the parotid gland1). We employed this incision for a motivated patient who was suspected of having a benign tumor. Eleven parotidectomies using this incision were performed between 1 January 2001 and 1 April 2004, in 10 females and 1 male, ranging in age from 23 to 62 years old (mean 39.6 years old). The pathology was pleomorphic adenoma in all cases. The duration of surgery ranged from 1.98 hours to 3.25 hours (mean 2.48 hours). In all cases, excellent exposure could be achieved through this approach, and the facial nerves were preserved. There were no remarkable complications. In conclusion, the facelift incision can provide adequate surgical exposure and good cosmetic results in patients with parotid tumor.
Key words : facelift incision, parotidectomy, rhytidectomy, parotid tumor