title: Endoscopic submandibular gland resection preserving great auricular nerve and periaural sensation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The preservation of periaural sensation is one of the most important things to improve the postoperative quality of life after performing the surgical procedures via retroauricular approach. The aim of this study is to describe the surgical technique of endoscopic submandibular gland (SMG) resection through the potential plane between great auricular nerve (GAN) and sternocleidomastoid muscle (sub-GAN dissection) and to evaluate its technical feasibility and advantage.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study enrolled 22 patients who underwent endoscopic SMG resection through linear hairline incision and sub-GAN dissection. The assessment was performed on the following: the cosmetic satisfaction after surgery and surgery-related variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was one case of a postoperative hematoma, which resolved with conservative management via a compression dressing, and one case of transient numbness at the surgical site, which spontaneously resolved within two months. In all other patients, no complications, such as seroma, skin necrosis, or marginal mandibular nerve palsy, occurred. The mean scores of pain and paresthesia evaluated with the graded scale approximated 0 (no pain or paresthesia). The cosmetic result score was as low as 1.5 ("extremely satisfied" or "satisfied").
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Linear hairline incision and sub-GAN dissection were feasible to acquire the sufficient working space for endoscopic SMG resection without sensory deterioration of GAN. This procedure may be useful to apply the surgery of other upper neck masses or thyroidectomy via retroauricular approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Doh Young
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang-Yoon
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: mdskbaek@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Seung-Kuk
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Baek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000294:innervation*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004954:Esthetics; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059351:Organ Sparing Treatments; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D013364:Submandibular Gland Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D014110:Touch; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Endoscopic; Great auricular nerve; Resection; Submandibular gland