title: Face-lift incision combined with sternomastoid muscular flap in parotidectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To improve the aesthetic outcome of a traditional parotidectomy, this study used a face-lift incision combined with a sternomastoid muscular (SCM) flap and compared the classical method with these techniques from the patient's perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2005 and 2007, 38 patients with benign parotid disease underwent surgery. The patients were retrospectively assigned to two groups according to the surgical technique used. Parotidectomy was performed using a combined face-lift incision and SCM flap for 18 patients (modified group). Another 20 patients received classical parotidectomy (Blair incision without reconstruction) (classical group). The patients were followed up every 3 months for 3 years. During the follow-up period, the patients were specifically asked about their satisfaction with their postoperative appearance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the follow-up period, all the patients in the group that had the face-lift incision and SCM flap were satisfied with the aesthetic outcome, and the depression deformity was considerably less. Nine patients in the classical group were not satisfied with the aesthetic outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The face-lift incision and SCM flap technique can be performed safely with satisfactory cosmetic and functional results. It results in improved patient satisfaction without additional risk of complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oncological Head and Neck Surgery, Stomatological Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Number 98, Xiwu Road, Xi'an, ShaanXi 710004, China. zhikeqian@sina.com
authors.forename: Keqian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhi
authors.forename: Wenhao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Shuo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jingwei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010305:Parotid Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015361:Rhytidoplasty; D013524:Surgical Flaps