Cervicomastoidfacial versus modified facelift incision for parotid surgery: a patient feedback comparison

Traditionally, the cervicomastoidfacial (CMF) incision is used to excise benign tumours of the parotid gland. The rhytidectomy or modified facelift (MF) incision allows an alternative approach which leaves no visible neck scar. The objective of this study was to establish the frequency of each surgical approach used and identify any difference in complication and patient satisfaction between the two incisions for benign conditions of the parotid gland.

A retrospective analysis of 101 case notes for patients who underwent parotidectomy by both ENT and maxillofacial departments between January 2006 and February 2008 was undertaken. All histologically confirmed cases of malignancy were excluded. For each incision, immediate postoperative complications were obtained from the notes. A postal patient outcome evaluation questionnaire sought information regarding persistent and late complications as well as a visual analogue scar satisfaction score for both incisions.

Overall, 79 parotidectomies were included (59 CMF incisions, 20 MF incisions). Of CMF incisions, 34% suffered facial weakness immediately postoperatively versus 20% of MF incisions. Of CMF incisions, 4% suffered postoperative haematomas versus none following MF incisions. In the study cohort, 47 (60%) responded to the postal feedback questionnaire (33 CMF versus 14 MF respondents). Information regarding immediate and late postoperative ipsilateral facial paraesthesia and gustatory sweating was obtained. Mean visual analogue scar satisfaction scores were 9.4 for CMF incisions and 8.9 for MF incisions.

Immediate and late complications for CMF and MF approaches for benign disease parotidectomy were comparable, but scar satisfaction following MF incision was not greater than CMF incisions.