Removal of nonthyroidal neck masses with improved cosmetic outcomes in skin-lifting surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the cosmetic benefit of neck skin-lifting surgery for the removal of nonthyroidal neck masses.


METHODS
Fifty patients with neck masses were divided into the following 2 surgical groups that were matched in age, sex, and the size, location, and pathology of lesions: skin lifting (n = 25) and conventional (n = 25). The operation time, hospital stay, complications, and subjective satisfaction with the incision scar as assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS) were compared between the 2 groups.


RESULTS
All but 2 lesions (lymphomas) were benign and were removed completely, drained, or biopsied. The surgery time, hospital stay, and complication rates did not differ significantly between the groups. The mean satisfaction score of the patients was 8.2 +/- 1.1 in the skin-lifting surgery group and 4.8 +/- 2.5 in the controls (P < 0.001). The incision scars were commonly hidden by natural hair or collars in the patients who received skin-lifting surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
This surgical technique can be safely applied to most benign masses in the entire neck excluding the thyroid region, especially in patients who prefer neck scars to be invisible.


METHODS
B-2b.
Roh
Jong-Lyel
JL
Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 388-1 Pungnap-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul 138-736, South Korea. rohjl@amc.seoul.kr
Yoon
Yeo-Hoon
YH
Park
Chan Il
CI
D000038:Abscess / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D020042:Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014388:Tuberculosis, Lymph Node / Q000601:surgery