Study on the clinical significance of conserving the greater auricular nerve in parotidectomy of benign parotid tumors / 中国基层医药

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the feasibility,technique and clinical significance of preserving the great auricular nerve in parotid benign tumors surgery during the first postoperative year.Methods Fifty-two patients with parotid benign tumors were randomly divded into 2 groups.24 patients (group sacrificed) underwent classic parotidectomy with sacrifice of the great auricular nerve.The surgeons spare the nerve in the 32 patients with FOCUS ultrasonic harmonic scalpel (group preserved).Results After surgery,both groups showed lower levels of subjective sensation and sensory function test at auricle.These alterations were less pronounced in group preserved.Both groups showed improvement over time.In group preserved the sensory function reached normal level by 12 months after surgery.The recuperation in group sacrificed was partial at 12 months after operation.Conclusion The great auricular nerve preservation during parotidectomy is feasible,It can decrease sensory disturbance in the early postoperative period and avoid the permanent sequelae that occur when the nerve is sacrificed.The FOCUS ultrasonic harmonic scalpel technique can reduce the operation time.