[Research progress in accessory parotid gland tumor surgery]

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Oncology
• Head and Neck Surgery

Background:

• Lesions of the accessory parotid gland (APG) are uncommon in salivary gland disease, with tumors being the most frequent presentation.
• Conventional surgical treatment for APG tumors often leads to patient distress due to potential complications and aesthetic concerns.
• The midcheek location of the APG presents unique surgical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current surgical techniques for accessory parotid gland (APG) tumors.
• To evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of various surgical approaches for APG tumors.
• To provide an outlook on emerging minimally invasive techniques, including endoscopically assisted surgery.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of surgical techniques for accessory parotid gland (APG) tumors.
• Analysis of existing data on surgical outcomes, complications, and aesthetic results.
• Examination of novel approaches like the transoral approach and endoscopic extracapsular dissection.

Main Results:

• Surgery remains the primary treatment for APG tumors, yet a standardized protocol is lacking.
• Conventional surgical methods can result in significant patient distress due to complications and aesthetic issues.
• Minimally invasive techniques, such as transoral and endoscopic approaches, are increasingly being developed to improve patient outcomes.

Conclusions:

• There is a need for standardized surgical protocols for accessory parotid gland (APG) tumors.
• Advancements in surgical technology are leading to more minimally invasive and aesthetically favorable treatment options.
• Endoscopically assisted resection shows promise for the future management of APG tumors.