Extended cervicomastoid approach with sternocleidomastoid flap reconstruction for parotid surgery: A better esthetic technique

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study is to compare the esthetic outcome of extended cervicomastoid approach with reconstruction with conventional approach (modified Blair's incision) for parotid surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 48 patients were enrolled and grouped into A: surgery through extended cervicomastoid incision with sternocleidomastoid reconstruction and B: surgery through modified Blair's incision. After parotid surgery, patients were followed up to 6 months on the basis of flap ischemia, patient satisfaction, and cosmesis (visual analog scale [VAS]). RESULTS: In our study, preauricular depression over the face was present in 4.2% and 95.8% patients Group A and B at 6 months, respectively (P < 0.001) and retromandibular depression (70.8%) in Group B (P < 0.001). Subjective Frey's syndrome was present in 8.3% of patients of Group B (P > 0.05). The mean value of VAS between the two groups was 1.08 ± 0.28 and 3.29 ± 0.62 at 6 months (P = 0.001) while mean change was significantly (P = 0.03) higher in Group A (1.00 ± 0.00) as compared to Group B (0.20 ± 0.72) from postoperative to 6 months, respectively. Patient of Group A had good satisfaction level (62.5% and 91.7%) at 6 weeks and 6 months while Group B patients had fair satisfaction level (87.5%) at 6 weeks and poor satisfaction level 79.2% at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Parotidectomy through extended cervicomastoid incision with sternocleidomastoid flap reconstruction experienced lower rates of postoperative complications, flap necrosis, and gustatory sweating in comparison to cervicomastoid facial approach, and thus, the previous incision is esthetically superior that allows cheek contour reconstruction with no increase in operative time or postoperative complications.