Endoscopically-Associated Hairline Approach to Excision of Second Branchial Cleft Cysts

Scarless Excision of Second Branchial Cleft Cyst via Retroauricular Hairline Incision

BACKGROUND

Second branchial cleft cyst (2nd BCC) is treated by complete excision. Conventional transcervical skin incision on the lesion may leave a prominent scar in the cosmetically sensitive area. The retroauricular hairline incision (RAHI) approach may maintain neurological, mobility, and cosmetic functions of the neck and face after excision. This study evaluated the clinical outcomes and disease control of scarless surgery via RAHI in 57 consecutive patients with 2nd BCC.

METHODS

The patients received the prospective evaluation of postoperative neurological, subjective pain, swallowing, neck motion, and cosmetic functions. Postoperative complications, subjective satisfaction, and recurrence were also assessed in each patient.

RESULTS

Excision was performed in all cases without injury to the facial nerve or other neurological complications and conversion to other incisions or approaches with a median operation time of 44 min. Complications were minimal, without dysphagia, neurological deficits, or limited neck motion. Postoperative incision scars in the postauricular and hairline region were commonly invisible. Subjective satisfaction with the scar and facial deformity was high after surgery. No patients had a recurrence for a median follow-up of 66 months.

CONCLUSION

The RAHI approach for 2nd BCC has excellent cosmetic, functional, and disease control outcomes. This can be safely applied to the treatment of 2nd BCC.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

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A facelift procedure for resection of a branchial cleft cysts

OBJECTIVES

Branchial cleft cysts (BCCs) are common in daily practice, however, BCC patients suffer aesthetic problems due to postoperative scars on visible parts after surgery. To analyze the feasibility, surgical outcomes and possible risks and complications encountered during a facelift procedure for patients with BCC.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis examined patients who had undergone surgery for branchial cleft cyst using a facelift procedure (n = 16) or conventional transcervical resection (n = 20) at our institutes between April 2015 and August 2021.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the groups that underwent the facelift procedure or conventional transcervical resection as to the average size of the cysts, operating time, bleeding, drain out, or recurrence. None of the patients needed to switch from the facelift procedure to conventional transcervical resection. In all the patients in the facelift procedure group, postoperative scars were fully concealed by the auricle and hair. However, four patients in the facelift procedure group experienced a transient auricular complication after surgery.

CONCLUSION

The facelift procedure provides adequate visualization, workspace and excellent cosmetic results in suitably selected cases with BCC.

Postauricular Incision Versus Conventional Transcervical Incision in Second Branchial Cleft Cyst Excision: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Surgical removal is the treatment of choice for second branchial cleft cysts (SBCCs), which are congenital anomalies. The conventional procedure is performed through a transcervical approach, which would lead to a visible scar in the anterior neck. Conversely, the postauricular approach could keep the scar in the hairline or retroauricular sulcus, rendering it almost invisible after the surgery. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the differences between the postauricular and conventional transcervical approaches to SBCC excision. A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify studies comparing outcomes of SBCC surgery via postauricular and conventional transcervical approaches. The data of interest were analyzed with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (version 3). The data of interest were analyzed by calculating the risk difference (RD), the standardized mean difference, and the mean difference (MD) with the 95% confidence interval (CI). Three studies were eligible for the final analysis. The pooled analysis demonstrated that the cosmetic satisfaction score was significantly higher with the postauricular approach (standardized mean difference, 2.12; 95% CI, 0.68–3.56). The operative duration was significantly longer with the postauricular approach than with the conventional transcervical approach (MD, 12.81; 95% CI, 2.39–23.23). The incidences of postoperative marginal mandibular nerve palsy (RD, 0.00; 95% CI, −0.09 to 0.09), bleeding complications (RD, −0.02; 95% CI, −0.09 to 0.05), salivary complications (RD, −0.00; 95% CI, −0.07 to 0.06), cyst size (MD, 0.02; 95% CI, −0.96–0.99), and length of hospital stay (MD, −2.50; CI, −7.30 to 2.30) were comparable between the 2 groups. The postauricular approach is feasible for use in SBCC excision and yields better cosmetic outcomes, a longer operative duration, and a similar rate of complications.

A Systematic Literature Review to Compare Clinical Outcomes of Different Surgical Techniques for Second Branchial Cyst Removal

Objective:

During the last 2 decades, new treatment methods have been developed for the surgical removal of second branchial cysts which result in less visible scars. The aim of this systematic review is to assess which surgical technique for second branchial arch cyst removal results in the lowest complication and recurrence rates with the highest scar satisfaction.

Methods:

Two authors systematically reviewed the literature in the Cochrane, PubMed, and EMBASE databases (search date: 1975 to December 2nd, 2020) to identify studies comparing surgical outcomes of second branchial arch cyst removal. Authors appraised selected studies on directness of evidence and risk of bias. Results are reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement.

Results:

Out of the 2442 retrieved articles, 4 articles were included in the current review including a total of 140 operated cysts. Only 2 studies included pre-operatively infected cysts. Follow up ranged from 3 to 24 months. Complication rates ranged from 0 to 27.3% (conventional: [0–10.4%]; endoscopic/retro-auricular: [0–27.3%]). None of the patients presented with postoperative recurrence. Significantly higher scar satisfaction was found in adult patients who underwent endoscopic or retro-auricular hairline incision cyst removal.

Conclusion:

No recurrence of disease occurred during (at least) 3 months of follow up using either conventional surgery or endoscopic/retro-auricular techniques. Although more (temporary) complications occur using endoscopic and retro-auricular techniques, patients report a significantly higher scar satisfaction 3 to 6 months after surgery in comparison to the conventional technique. Future studies are needed to support these findings.