title: Endoscope-assisted approach to excision of branchial cleft cysts.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to describe an endoscope-assisted surgical technique for the excision of branchial cleft cysts and compare it to the standard approach.
  
  
  
  Retrospective case series review.
  
  
  
  Twenty-seven cases described as branchial cleft excisions performed by a single surgeon at one academic medical center were identified between 2007 and 2014. Twenty-five cases (8 endoscopic, 17 standard approach) were included in the study. Cases were excluded if final pathology was malignant. Patient charts were reviewed, and two techniques were compared through analysis of incision size, operative time, and surgical outcomes.
  
  
  
  This study showed that the length of incision required for the endoscopic approach (mean = 2.13 ± 0.23) was significantly less than that of the standard approach (mean = 4.10 ± 1.46, P = 0.008) despite the fact that there was no significant difference in cyst size between the two groups (P = 0.09). The other variables examined, including operative time and surgical outcomes, were not significantly different between the two groups.
  
  
  
  This transcervical endoscope-assisted approach to branchial cleft cyst excision is a viable option for uncomplicated cases. It provides better cosmetic results than the standard approach and does not negatively affect outcomes, increase operative time, or result in recurrence.
  
  
  
  4. Laryngoscope, 126:1339-1342, 2016.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology.
authors.forename: Stephanie E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology.
authors.forename: Benjamin C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Brumm
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fritz
authors.affiliation: Department of Population Health, New York University, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Yixin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Myssiorek
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001935:Branchioma / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Branchial cleft cyst; endoscopy; minimally invasive surgery