Feasibility of using the retroauricular approach without endoscopic or robotic assistance for excision of benign neck masses.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to present our evaluation of the feasibility of using a retroauricular approach for excision of benign upper neck mass lesions without assistance of an endoscopic or robotic system. METHODS We enrolled 23 patients with benign neck mass lesions of the parotid gland, submandibular gland, and the level II/III region who underwent surgery via a retroauricular approach. RESULTS In 22 of 23 patients (95.7%), parotidectomies, submandibular gland resections, and mass excisions were successfully completed under direct vision, without endoscopic or robotic assistance. Mean operation time, drainage amount, and drainage duration were 99.1 minutes, 44.3 mL, and 2.9 days, respectively. For a total of 23 patients, the mean visual analog scale score for subjective satisfaction with the incision scar was 8.9. No serious or permanent complications occurred. CONCLUSION Excision using a retroauricular approach under direct vision is technically feasible for many benign mass lesions of the parotid gland, submandibular gland, and levels II/III of the neck region. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 748-753, 2017.