Mini-Incision Parotidectomy-Our Technique

Traditional parotidectomy incision was devised by Blair (1912) which was modified by Bailey (1941). Over the years various approaches and techniques have evolved to improve the aesthetic outcome and at the same time for complete disease clearance with reduced complications. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of our mini-incision parotidectomy technique along with the surgical and quality of life (QOL) outcomes. This prospective case series was conducted at Apollo Hospitals, Bangalore over a period of 2 years (June 2018-August 2020) and includes 20 patients. The surgical outcomes were assessed in terms of feasibility of mini-incision technique with respect to levels of parotid involved and functional outcomes in terms of presence or absence of complications like facial palsy (temporary or permanent), seroma and Frey's syndrome. Patient related quality of life (QOL) outcomes were assessed in terms of post-operative pain score, patient comfort score and cosmetic score by using numerical rating scale-11 (NRS-11). The mini-incision parotidectomy technique is feasible for lesions in all the parotid levels and conversion or lengthening of incision was not needed in any of the cases. 2(10%) patients had temporary facial palsy (House-Brackman grade III) which was recovered within 3 weeks after surgery. One patient (5%) with adenoid cystic carcinoma had permanent facial palsy. Out of 20 patients 2(10%) had seroma and 1(5%) patient presented with Frey's syndrome. Mean post-operative pain score at 0, 6 and 24 h were 4.8, 3.4 and 1.8 out of 10 respectively. Mean comfort score was 9 out of 10 and mean cosmetic score was 9.5 out of 10. Mini-incision parotidectomy technique can render improved functional as well as aesthetic outcomes after parotidectomy without compromising the surgical clearance of the disease process.