New method to prevent salivary fistula after parotidectomy

The use of bipolar coagulation forceps prevented salivary fistula in patients with parotidectomy: a retrospective study

Background

Salivary fistula is a relatively common complication in patients who have undergone a parotidectomy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of bipolar coagulation forceps use on salivary fistulas.

Methods

From March 2015 to June 2020, 177 patients who underwent a parotidectomy in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were recruited. The patients were divided into an experimental group and a control group based on whether bipolar coagulation forceps or sutures were used, respectively.

Results

The drainage output of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group (p = 0.04). The duration of dressing pressure applied in the experimental group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (p = 0.0003). Moreover, the incidence of salivary fistula in the experimental group (9.8%, 8/82) was notably lower than that in the control group (34.7%, 33/95) (p < 0.0001). In the logistic regression model for salivary fistula development, both the use of bipolar coagulation forceps (p = 0.0021) and drainage output (p = 0.0237) were associated with the presence of salivary fistulas.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the use of bipolar coagulation forceps decreases the incidence of salivary fistula in patients who have undergone a parotidectomy. The use of bipolar coagulation forceps is a safe, effective, and convenient method to prevent salivary fistulas in patients who undergo a parotidectomy.

Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ChiCTR2100044722, Date: 26/03/2021, Retrospectively registered.

A review of technical notes published in BJOMS: a comparison 10 years on

Technical notes are known to be a popular method of publishing novel surgical techniques, up-to-date technological advances, and tricks of the trade in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS). The British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (BJOMS) has a dedicated section for such papers, and this article explores the publication of technical notes over the last two years. In addition, comparison is made with previous reviews of technical notes in this journal a decade ago, to explore the progression of diversity and evolving topics of interest to the oral and maxillofacial surgery community.