Modified facelift approach combined with a superficial musculoaponeurotic system flap in the treatment of benign parotid tumors

Evaluation of functional and aesthetic outcomes of free dermal fat graft versus superficial musculoaponeurotic system flap after superficial parotidectomy: randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Parotidectomy is the standard procedure for treatment of many parotid lesions; however, it has several drawbacks. Facial asymmetry and Frey's syndrome are the most annoying complications to patients. Insertion of interpositioning grafts into the parotidectomy bed can decrease these complications significantly. Free dermal fat graft (FDFG) and superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) flap have very promising results. This RCT aimed to compare these two techniques regarding functional and aesthetic outcomes.

METHODS

Between February 2016 and October 2021, adult patients undergoing superficial conservative parotidectomy in a single centre for a benign indication were randomized into two equal groups using a closed envelope method. In one group, FDFG was inserted at the parotidectomy bed, whereas, in the other group, SMAS flap was performed. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative data were recorded and analysed. The primary outcome was the development of Frey's syndrome.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients were randomized into two equal groups of 39 patients. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding development of Frey's syndrome. There was no significant statistical difference between study groups regarding demographic data, co-morbidities, parotid pathologies, specimen volumes, total operating time, and postoperative complications. A tendency for over correction was observed in FDFG and under correction in SMAS flap. There was no statistically significant difference between the study groups regarding the patients' aesthetic satisfaction with the majority displaying excellent satisfaction with no poor results.

CONCLUSION

FDFG and SMAS flap are simple, rapid, and reliable procedures and are effective in improving both functional and aesthetic outcomes post-parotidectomy. They have comparable results; however, selection of either procedure can be determined according to patient and tumour characteristics. Registration number: NCT05452837 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Different Surgical Strategies in the Prevention of Frey Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS

To define the best surgical technique able to reduce Frey syndrome (FS) incidence after parotidectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and network meta-analysis.

METHODS

An arm-based network analysis was conducted using a Bayesian hierarchical model. The primary and secondary outcomes were the incidence of subjective (clinical) and objective (positive starch-iodine test result) FS, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 3830 patients with a median age of 50.35 years (n = 2323; IQR 44.25-54.18) were included for six interventions [temporoparietal fascia (TPFF), free fat graft (FFG), acellular dermal matrix (ADM), sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) flap, and superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) flap]. If compared to no treatment, the greatest reduction of subjective (clinical) FS incidence was measured for the TPFF (OR: 0.07, CI: 0.004-0.57), the ADM (OR: 0.09, CI: 0.02-0.35), and the FFG (OR: 0.11, CI: 0.03-0.42) techniques. However, a significant difference was measured also for the SCM flap (OR: 0.38, CI: 0.18-0.73) and for the SMAS flap (OR: 0.42, CI: 0.19-0.97). All treatments showed a significant reduction of the objective FS incidence if compared to no treatment (FFG, OR: 0.06, CI: 0.002-0.62; TPFF, OR: 0.07, CI: 0.01-0.33; ADM, OR: 0.11, CI: 0.03-0.44; SMAS, OR: 0.36, CI: 0.17-0.71; SCM, OR: 0.40, CI: 0.19-0.74).

CONCLUSIONS

TPFF, ADM, and FFG seem to be the best treatment strategies to prevent FS after parotidectomy. Further randomized controlled trials comparing these techniques should be conducted to define specific indications. Laryngoscope, 131:1761-1768, 2021.

What is the best method for prevention of postparotidectomy Frey syndrome? Network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Prevention of Frey syndrome (FS) after parotidectomy using an interposition barrier has long been gaining a wide popularity; however, there is no clear evidence regarding which preventive technique is more effective. The aim of this network meta-analysis (NMA) is to answer the question: What is the best method for prevention of FS after parotidectomy?

METHODS

A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, and Cochrane library was conducted to identify the eligible studies. The outcome was the incidence of subjective Frey syndrome (SFS) and objective Frey syndrome (OFS). The Bayesian NMA accompanied with a random effects model and 95% credible intervals (CrIs) were calculated using GeMTC R package.

RESULTS

Thirty-four studies (n = 2987 patients) with five interventions, namely Alloderm (ADM), temporoparietal fascia (TPF), sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), and free fat graft (FFG), were compared together and with no interposition barrier (NB). The results of NMA showed a statistically significant reduction in both SFS and OFS when ADM, TPF, SMAS, FFG, and SCM were compared with NB. No statistical differences were observed when comparing ADM, SCM, SMAS, FFG, and TPF. TPF ranked the best of all treatments (59.4%) and was associated with the least incidence of SFS; whereas ADM ranked the best of all treatments (61.1%) and was associated with the least incidence of OFS.

CONCLUSIONS

All interventions (TPF flap, ADM, FFG, SMAS, and SCM) were associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of FS when compared with NB. TPF and ADM showed the best outcome with the least incidence of SFS and OFS, respectively.

Minor Parotidectomy Complications: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

To report descriptive statistics for minor parotidectomy complications.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed, selecting 235 studies for analysis. The incidence of complications was tabulated, and descriptive statistics calculated. Outlier studies, 1 standard deviation above the mean, were reexamined to determine potential causal factors for each complication. All studies were examined for statistically significant differences for any potential causal factor.

RESULTS

The pooled incidence of minor complications reported were hematoma 2.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4-3.5), wound infection 2.3% (95% CI: 1.8-2.9), sialocele 4.5% (95% CI: 3.5-5.7), salivary fistula 3.1% (95% CI: 2.6-3.7), flap necrosis 1.7% (95% CI: 1.1-2.5), scar issues 3.6% (95% CI: 2.4-5.4), numbness 33.9% (95% CI: 25.6-43.4), and deformity 11.8 (95% CI: 6.9-19.5). Implants result in more wound complications, such as hematoma, sialocele, or salivary fistula. Sialocele and salivary fistula appear more frequently after less extensive parotid surgery, whereas hematoma, wound infections, flap necrosis, and aesthetic considerations are worse with more extensive resections.

CONCLUSIONS

Minor parotidectomy complications are more frequent than generally assumed and related to certain factors that should be investigated. Laryngoscope, 131:571-579, 2021.

Modified facelift incision and superficial musculoaponeurotic system flap in parotid malignancy: a retrospective study and review of the literature

Background

Data reporting the use of modified facelift incision (MFI) approach with or without superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) reconstruction in parotid malignancy are limited. To enhance the limited knowledge in this subject, the authors of the current study report quality data of MFI in patients with parotid malignancy with or without SMAS reconstruction.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of parotid malignancy patients treated with the MFI over a 5-year period (2015–2019) in the 1st ENT University Department, University of Athens, Greece.

Results

We identified five patients with parotid malignancy. We performed MFI parotidectomy in 5/5 patients and SMAS reconstruction in 2/5 patients. All tumors were classified as T1N0M0. After a mean follow-up of 43.6 months (minimum, 36; maximum, 55), we noted no recurrence. The patients reported no Frey’s syndrome.

Conclusions

The authors of the current study suggest consideration of the MFI approach in parotid malignancy. A MFI approach should at least favor small parotid tumors without neck metastatic disease (T1cN0). Surgeons could also address larger tumors with a MFI approach. Surgeons should reconstruct the parotid lodge with a SMAS advancement flap in tumors not in proximity with the SMAS.

Use of the facelift incision for excision of non-tuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis in children

OBJECTIVES

To present cases of pediatric periparotid nontuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis excised through a facelift incision in order to review the advantages of this approach to parotidectomy. We also aim to discuss scenarios in which to forgo the facelift incision in favor of a traditional modified Blair incision.

METHODS

Retrospective series of seven consecutive patients who underwent parotidectomy for nontuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis between 2013 and 2018.

RESULTS

The series included three uses of the facelift incision and four uses of the modified Blair incision, which was specifically selected for cases of bulky lymphadenopathy anterior to the masseter muscle. All cases of Modified Blair incision involved circumferential dissection of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve. The facelift incision permitted complete removal of disease in cases located posterior to the masseter as well as neck dissection as inferiorly as level III. Post-operatively, temporary marginal mandibular nerve weakness was seen in all cases of Modified Blair incision. Scar widening was most notable in patients who required skin excision or dermal curettage.

CONCLUSION

The facelift incision offers a more hidden scar. This may serve as an alternative approach to parotid surgery in young children with nontuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis, except in cases of bulky disease anterior to the masseter muscle for which optimal exposure of the marginal mandibular nerve via a modified Blair incision is warranted.

Complications after superficial parotidectomy for pleomorphic adenoma

Background

The significance of complications after superficial parotidectomy remains unclear, since prospective studies are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate facial nerve dysfunction and other postoperative complications after superficial parotidectomy for pleomorphic adenoma of the superficial lobe and to identify the associated risk factors.

Material and Methods

Prospective and descriptive clinical study on 79 patients undergoing formal superficial parotidectomy with the modified facelift incision, dissection of the facial nerve and reconstruction with the superficial musculoaponeurotic system flap. Function of the facial nerve using the House-Brackmann scale and the intra- and postoperative complications were recorded at 1 week and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. A descriptive, inferential and binary logistic regression analysis were performed for the variables facial nerve dysfunction, tumor size and location, clinical presentation and duration of surgery.

Results

77.2% of the patients presented facial paresis at 1 week, with the marginal-mandibular branch being the most commonly affected (64.5%). 94.9% recovered the facial function at 6 months and 100% at 12 months. A statistically significant relationship was found between the appearance of facial paresis and tumor location in the superior lateral area of the superficial lobe, size >2 cm and prolonged operative time. None of the remaining variables showed significant differences at any study timepoint. At 12 months, 57% of patients had recovered tactile sensitivity in the earlobe. The clinical occurrence of Frey’s syndrome was 11.4%.

Conclusions

Despite the high incidence of postoperative facial paresis at 1 week, its magnitude was low and the recovery time was short. Tumor location in the parotid superficial lobe upper area, size and prolonged operative time are risk factors that can worsen facial paresis at different study timepoints. The knowledge of these complications is relevant for patient´s counseling and to achieve better long-term outcomes.

Key words:Superficial parotidectomy, pleomorphic adenoma, parotid gland, facial nerve paralysis, postoperative complications.

Robot-assisted submandibular gland excision via modified facelift incision

Background

The conventional transcervical resection for submandibular gland disease has some risks and an unsatisfactory cosmetic result. Recently, robot-assisted surgery has been developed as a plausible substitute for conventional surgery which provides an excellent cosmetic outcome.

Case presentation

The authors performed robot-assisted sialadenectomy via modified facelift incision using the da Vinci Xi surgical system (Intuitive Surgical Inc., CA, USA) with two endowrist arms (monopolar curved scissors and Maryland bipolar forceps) successfully in a 44-year-old female patient who suffered from sialolith and severe atrophic submandibular gland.

Conclusions

If similar studies are done in the future, this robot-assisted sialadenectomy may become established as an alternative to existing disadvantageous surgical methods.