A new modified limited incision for superficial parotidectomy compared to modified Blair’s incision

BACKGROUND: Many incisions have been used to perform parotidectomy, but they result in a visible scar on the neck and may cause patient dissatisfaction by producing disfigurement sometimes. AIM OF STUDY: The aim of this study is to use a modified limited incision for superficial parotidectomy as an alternative to the classical incision, with no obvious scarring and without affecting the identification of the facial nerve, resulting in better cosmesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective comparative study on 100 patients has undergone superficial parotidectomy using a modified limited incision and another 100 patients who have undergone superficial parotidectomy using the modified Blair’s incision (control group) for variant benign pathologies. The surgeries were conducted in four hospitals (three private and one public) in Baghdad, Iraq, from January 2016 to September 2022. In both groups, the patients were followed up through outpatient visits to assess the cosmetic result of the incision and detect postoperative complications. RESULTS: All tumors were removed with no need for extending the skin incision. The cosmetic result of the incision was very satisfactory and only a nominal scar could be seen 6 months after surgery. Five percent of patients only developed postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: A modified limited incision for superficial parotidectomy provides better patient satisfaction compared to a modified Blair’s incision. The modified limited incision can be performed safely with a better cosmetic appearance of the surgical scar compared to the standard incision.