There are many aspects of parotid surgery that concern patients, and one of the primary concerns is the incision used during parotid surgery. The treatment is on a highly visible area of the body-the face- and can lead some patients to worry about what the resulting scar may look like after surgery. 

In this episode, Dr. Eric J. Moore; Chair, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic; Rochester, Minnesota, joins me to provide information  about incision types used during parotid surgery to help alleviate the anxiety that patients may feel about the incisional scar.

Listen in as Dr. Moore provides valuable information on a variety of topics related to incisions!

Key Talking Points of the Episode:

• Incision Types
• Factors Affecting Incision Type Selection
• Incisions for Superficial vs. Deep Lobe Tumors
• Incisions for Parapharyngeal Space Tumors
• Incisions for Accessory Parotid Gland Tumors
• Closure of Incisions
• Post-Operative Incisional Side Effects and Care
• Scar Revision Options

Key Milestones of the Episode:

[01:10] Factors Affecting the Incision Type

[05:23] Why do surgeons vary on the type of incision used during parotid surgery?

[07:20] Incision Types for Superficial Lobe versus Deep Lobe Tumors

[11:15] Is it necessary to remove the entire parotid gland to remove a deep lobe tumor? 

[12:45] Do all patients require the standard parotid incision that extends into the crease of the neck?

[18:02] Use of hairline incisions behind the ear.

[22:06] Can parotid tumors be removed through the mouth?

[25:34] Are endoscopic salivary gland approaches available for parotid tumor removal?

[27:57] Incisions for Accessory Parotid Gland Tumors

[35:36] Incisions for Parapharyngeal Parotid Tumors

[37:18] Is it necessary to break a patient’s jaw to remove a tumor in the parapharyngeal space?

[38:45] Surgical Approach for Parapharyngeal Space Tumors

[41:48] Incision Types for Tumors in the Sublingual and Submandibular Glands

[44:44] Minimally Invasive Incisions

[48:21] Is there a correlation between incision size and recurrences?

[50:53] Extracapsular Dissection

[54:56] Revision Surgery Incisions after Recurrence

[57:41] Closure of Incisions

[01:00:10] Post-Surgical Care of Incisions

[01:09:32] Surgical Side Effects Related to Incisions

[01:19:42] Scar Revision Options

Informational References from the Episode:

https://parotidtumorpodcast.buzzsprout.com/1267148/8098929-parotid-surgery-part-1

https://parotidpatientproject.org/resources/mayo-clinic-parotid-tumor-guide-videos.html

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