title: Transcervical approach to benign parapharyngeal space tumors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We describe our experience with the postoperative sequelae, complications, and recurrences associated with resection of a series of parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumors via a transcervical approach without submandibular gland excision, parotidectomy, or mandibulotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective review of 51 cases, 40 of which were pleomorphic adenomas and 11 of which were lipomas or schwannomas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 30 fine-needle aspirations performed, 24 indicated pleomorphic adenoma before operation. Twenty-eight of the 30 fine-needle aspirations yielded diagnoses that were consistent with the final pathologic diagnoses. The average hospital stay was 1.05 days. After operation, there were 9 cases of trismus, 4 cases of "first bite" pain, and 7 cases of transient marginal nerve weakness. There were no recurrences over an average follow-up of 115 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of PPS tumors are benign. It is important to use an approach that allows complete tumor excision but does not impart undue postoperative morbidity. We demonstrate that the transcervical approach without submandibular gland excision, parotidectomy, or mandibulotomy is ideal for benign PPS tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Steven S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goldenberg
authors.forename: Wayne M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000601:surgery*; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000601:surgery*; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010614:Pharynx; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies