Minimally invasive endoscopic-assisted resection of benign tumors in the accessory parotid gland: 5 case studies.

BACKGROUND A modified Blair's incision or standard facelift incision is recommended to remove tumors in the accessory parotid gland. These incisions frequently result in long and visible scars. Therefore, the authors have introduced an endoscopic approach via a small preauricular incision to achieve excision of benign tumors in the accessory parotid gland. METHODS The endoscopic surgical technique was performed on 5 patients with benign tumors in the accessory parotid gland. RESULTS Endoscopic-assisted resection of the benign tumors in the accessory parotid gland was feasible in all 5 patients. This procedure lasted 105 minutes on average. Facial paralysis, salivary fistula, and ear-lobular numbness were not found postoperatively. The follow-up period was 1 year, during which no Frey's syndrome and recurrence were found. All preauricular scars were aesthetically satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS The minimally invasive endoscopic approach via a small preauricular incision is an optional method of the accessory parotid gland benign tumor resection.