title: [Auriculomastoid incision for parotid surgery].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to analyze the treatment outcomes of benign parotid tumors operated through auriculomastoid incision (the authors defined incision as "ariculomastoid incision" in this study).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between April 2008 and March 2012, 23 patients (15 females, 8 males; mean age 48.8 years; range 28 to 67 years) who underwent parotidectomy first at Bolu State Hospital, Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic due to benign and mobile mass lesions in superficial lobe of parotid gland were retrospectively analyzed. Approximately a 5 cm incision starting at anterior to the tragus, extending along the ear lobule and ending at the mastoid apex was performed. Facial nerve traces were identified according to the anatomical landmarks. Pathological diagnoses, complications and follow-up results were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pathological diagnoses were pleomorphic adenoma in 15, Warthin tumor in six, branchial cleft cyst in one, and extrapulmonary lymph node tuberculosis in one patient. The main truncus and bifurcation of the facial nerve was identified at the lower level of the incision and in the direction of mandibular angle. Facial nerve was identified by following high calibration stylomastoid artery a few millimeters inferomedialy in 16 patients. Incision was extended in three patients due to an inferior mass located. No local recurrence occurred during at a mean follow-up of 28 months (range; 6-48 months). Three patients developed transient, partial facial paralysis, which recovered completely within two months. Two patients had salivary fistulas, which recovered by compression dressing within three weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Auriculomastoid incision can be applied safely in the treatment of mobile, benign parotid tumors localized in the superficial lobe with a low rate of postoperative complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Bolu İzzet Baysal State Hospital, 14300 Bolu, Turkey. keskinoz2006@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Keskinöz
authors.forename: Erkan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Esen
authors.forename: Ozlem Celebi
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Erdivanlı
authors.forename: Omer Tarık
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Selçuk
mesh_terms: D000235:Adenolymphoma / Q000601:surgery*; D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001935:Branchioma / Q000601:surgery; D058128:Compression Bandages; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012467:Salivary Gland Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D014388:Tuberculosis, Lymph Node / Q000601:surgery