Background: Postoperative sialoceles and fistulas are frequent surgical complications of parotid tumor resection. Extracapsular dissection by the sternocleidomastoid muscle-parotid space approach (ECD-SMPSA) is a minimally invasive technique. To our knowledge, the characteristics of sialoceles and fistulas secondary to ECD-SMPSA have not been reported.
Methods: This prospective study enrolled 52 patients who underwent ECD-SMPSA without sialocele/fistula prevention measures. Postoperative sialoceles and fistulas were evaluated during 2 months of follow-up.
Results: Among the 52 patients, only one male patient developed a mild sialocele. No salivary fistulas occurred. The overall rate of sialocele/fistula formation was 1.92%.
Conclusions: When treating clinically benign tumors that involve the sternocleidomastoid muscle-parotid space, ECD-SMPSA may prevent postoperative formation of sialoceles and salivary fistulas.
Keywords: benign tumor; extracapsular dissection; parotidectomy; salivary fistula; sialocele.
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