title: A comparison between endoscope-assisted partial parotidectomy and conventional partial parotidectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the feasibility of endoscope-assisted parotidectomy with an ultrasonic scalpel.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 38 patients were randomly assigned to conventional (20 patients) or endoscope-assisted (18 patients) partial parotidectomy. Via retrograde approach, endoscopic and surgical instruments were inserted through two 20- to 25-mm incisions (retromandibular and postauricular).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The endoscopic surgery lasted for 108.61 +/- 11.86 minutes and the bleeding volume was significantly lower than in the conventional group. All 18 patients were satisfied with their cosmetic results; 14 patients (65%) were satisfied with the great auricular nerve preservation; only one patient had temporary facial paresis and salivary fistula. There was no tumor recurrence in both groups during the follow-up after 26 to 40 months) the endoscope-assisted parotidectomy group (median 30 months, range 26-40 months) and conventional group (median 32 months, range 26-40 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscope-assisted parotidectomy is a feasible technique. This procedure may serve as an alternative approach that allows a smaller incision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiaoming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yiqing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yaodong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Zhigang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hongzhang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D004724:Endoscopy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013997:Time Factors; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy