Rhytidectomy approach for surgical treatment of branchial cyst.

Surgical treatment of benign diseases of the neck produces a cervicotomy scar. A modified rhytidectomy incision has been used since 2003 in our department in selected cases of parotid gland tumours. However, there is no mention in bibliography about using facelift approach for treatment of cervical diseases. We have operated on three patients with brachial cysts using this technique. We introduce a clinical case of a 28-year-old woman with a right cervical swelling at the level of the anterior side of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This technique allows a wide surgical approach. There is no donor-site morbidity, minimum additional operating time, hidden scar and no extra cost, and patients are very satisfied with the results.