Endoscopic Versus Conventional Parotidectomy in the Management of Benign Parotid Tumors : A Prospective Comparative Study

Parotid gland tumors account for approximately 3-6% of all head and neck tumors, and nearly 70-80% arise from the superficial lobe of the gland, with the majority being benign lesions such as pleomorphic adenoma and Warthin tumor . A considerable proportion of these tumors occur in the inferior pole of the parotid gland, where surgical management aims to achieve complete tumor excision while preserving facial nerve function and maintaining satisfactory cosmetic outcomes .

Conventional parotidectomy performed through a modified Blair incision remains the standard surgical approach for benign parotid tumors . This technique offers adequate surgical exposure and good tumor control; however, it is associated with several limitations including visible facial scarring, potential facial nerve injury, Frey's syndrome, and postoperative sensory disturbances .

In recent years, minimally invasive surgical approaches have been introduced to overcome these limitations. Endoscopic parotidectomy has emerged as a promising technique for selected benign parotid tumors. The magnified endoscopic view may facilitate more precise dissection and improved identification of facial nerve branches while allowing smaller incisions and potentially better cosmetic outcomes .

Despite encouraging results reported in several studies, the available evidence comparing endoscopic parotidectomy with the conventional approach remains limited. Therefore, further prospective comparative studies are required to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and cosmetic advantages of this minimally invasive technique.