Aesthetic and Functional Outcomes After Superficial Parotidectomy - Comparison of Three Reconstruction Techniques: An Interventional Clinical Study

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Introduction Preauricular defects is one of the main concerns after superficial parotidectomy. Plastic surgeons have described many filling techniques to overcome the problem. Objective To discuss and compare the esthetic and functional outcomes of three postsuperficial parotidectomy reconstruction techniques: partial-thickness, superiorly based sternocleidomastoid muscle flap, en-bloc fat grafting, and platelet-rich fibrin gel. Methods We included 29 adult patients submitted to reconstruction after superficial parotidectomy by partial-thickness, superiorly based sternocleidomastoid muscle flap, en-bloc fat grafting, and platelet-rich fibrin gel. A subjective evaluation of the overall facial appearance was conducted through a 5-point visual analog scale filled out by the patient, a close relative, and 3 blind staff members. Results Regarding the visual analog scale, in the comparison between the three groups (at the sixth and the twelfth months), the fat group reported the highest mean for satisfaction (3.4 ± 1.1 and 3.83 ± 0.97 respectively) and showed a highly-significant difference when compared to the sternocleidomastoid muscle flap and the platelet-rich fibrin gel groups ( p = 0.0001 and 0.016 respectively). Conclusion Parotidectomy with immediate reconstruction of the surgical defect with an en-block fat graft provides better esthetic outcomes than sternocleidomastoid mus

Evidence level

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

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