title: [A comparison between endoscopic-assisted submandibular gland resection via retroauricular hairline incision and conventional submandibular gland resection].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility, the risks and the advantages of endoscope-assisted submandibular gland resection using a retroauricular hairline incision (RAHI) by comparing it with the conventional submandibular gland resection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty eight patients with benign lesions of the submandibular gland were included in the prospective clinically controlled study. Thirteen patients had endoscope-assisted resection using the RAHI approach and 15 cases had conventional transcervical approach resection. The size, location and adjacency of all lesions were evaluated by CT or MRI before surgery. The pathologic diagnoses of all cases were identified as benign diseases using fine needle aspiration biopsy. The two groups were compared for incision length, operation time, bleeding, incision cosmetic result, and complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 28 operations were successfully performed. Incision length in the endoscopic group was significantly longer than that in the transcervical group (Z = -4.516, P < 0.01), and the surgical time was longer in the endoscopic group (Z = -3.263, P < 0.01). After three months the mean subjective satisfaction score for the incision scar in the endoscopic group was significantly higher than that in the transcervical group (Z = -4.472, P < 0.01). In the endoscopic group, 2 cases (15.4%) with temporary numbness of the earlobe and 1 case (7.7%) with a temporary marginal mandibular nerve paralysis were found postoperatively. However, they recovered within 1 month. All 28 patients were disease free with a follow-up of 10 to 24 months (median of 18 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscope-assisted submandibular gland resection via RAHI is feasible and safe for the treatment of benign submandibular gland lesions. In comparison with the transcervical approach, this method can provide better cosmetic results without significant complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangzhou 510080, China.
authors.forename: Liang-si
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Si-yi
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiao-ming
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Xiao-ning
authors.initials: XN
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Jian-dong
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Zhan
authors.forename: Zhong-ming
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Xin-han
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D013364:Submandibular Gland Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult