Endoscopic resection of upper neck masses via retroauricular approach is feasible with excellent cosmetic outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
In this study, the authors introduce and evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic resection using the retroauricular approach for various benign lesions of the upper neck.


METHODS
A retrospective comparative analysis was performed on the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent surgery for upper neck masses as endoscopic resection using the retroauricular approach or conventional transcervical resection at the authors' center from January 2010 through August 2011. The primary outcome was the cosmetic satisfaction of the patients in each group. In addition, the feasibility of the procedure was evaluated by comparing the operation time; hospital stay; amount and duration of drainage; complications such as marginal mandibular nerve, lingual, or hypoglossal nerve palsy; paresthesia of the ear lobe; and wound problems such as hematoma and skin necrosis. Statistical analysis was performed by independent-samples t test and the Fisher exact test, and a P value less than .05 was considered statistically significant.


RESULTS
Thirty-six patients underwent endoscopic resection (endo group; 15 men, 21 women; mean age, 38.8 ± 15.0 years) and 40 patients underwent conventional transcervical resection (conventional group; 18 men, 22 women; mean age, 45.1 ± 14.1 years). The operating time in the endo group was longer than in the conventional group (P = .003). No significant difference was observed in the overall perioperative complications between the 2 groups. Cosmetic satisfaction evaluated with a graded scale showed much better results in the endo group (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic resection using the retroauricular approach is feasible for various benign upper neck masses when conducted by an experienced endoscopic surgeon, with excellent cosmetic results.
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, South Korea.
Hyoung Shin
HS
Lee
Dongwon
D
Lee
Yong Cheol
YC
Koo
Hyang Ae
HA
Shin
Yoon Woo
YW
Koh
Eun Chang
EC
Choi
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004431:Ear, External; D004724:Endoscopy; D004954:Esthetics; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery*; D061646:Operative Time; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult