title: A comparative study of the endoscopy-assisted transoral approach versus external approaches for the resection of large benign parapharyngeal space tumors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The advantages and limitations of the endoscopy-assisted transoral approach (EATA) and external approaches (EAs) in resection of parapharyngeal space tumors (PSTs) remain unclear. In our study, we compared the use of the EATA and the EAs for the resection of large, benign PSTs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four patients with PSTs were divided into the EATA and EA groups. The perioperative and postoperative outcomes of the patients were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of the tumors were completely removed. However, the procedure was converted to an open procedure for four patients in the EATA group and for six patients in the EA group who required endoscopic assistance. The intraoperative blood loss, amount and duration of drainage, postoperative pain, total hospital stay, and cosmetic outcomes were superior in the EATA group (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of the EATA for resection of large, benign PSTs decreased the surgical invasiveness of the procedure and resulted in better aesthetic outcomes. However, use of the combined surgical approach allowed for improved access for the resection of PSTs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, HaiNan General Hospital, HaiNan, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Shi-Geng
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Han-Qing
authors.initials: HQ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Qun-Xing
authors.initials: QX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Wei-Xiong
authors.initials: WX
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: You-Yuan
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Da-Ming
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Zhao-Yu
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Jiang-Long
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: drchen@vip.163.com.
authors.forename: Wei-Liang
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: Lijs2015@yeah.net.
authors.forename: Jin-Song
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome