Andrew J Coniglio1, Allison M Deal2, Trevor G Hackman1. 1. Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 2. Lineberger Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Superficial parotidectomy has traditionally been completed with a drain and overnight hospital stay. We report perioperative and postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing drainless outpatient parotidectomy vs traditional drained extended stay parotidectomy. METHODS: Retrospective chart review from a single surgeon from 2009 to 2017 of patients undergoing parotidectomy, including demographic data, surgical approach, tumor pathology and size, blood loss, drain placement, postoperative pain control, and complications, was done. A comparison was performed between patients undergoing drain placement and those treated with "drainless" technique. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients underwent parotidectomy (42 drainless; 49 drained). Intraoperative blood loss was lower in the "drainless" group (16.0 mL vs 34.9 mL, P < .001). There was a lower rate of facial nerve paresis in the "drainless" group compared with the "drained" cohort (7% vs 16.3%, P = .18). Seroma formation and infection rate was similar. CONCLUSION: In the properly selected patient, outpatient drainless parotidectomy is a viable procedure with comparable outcomes to traditional extended stay drained parotidectomy.
BACKGROUND: Superficial parotidectomy has traditionally been completed with a drain and overnight hospital stay. We report perioperative and postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing drainless outpatient parotidectomy vs traditional drained extended stay parotidectomy. METHODS: Retrospective chart review from a single surgeon from 2009 to 2017 of patients undergoing parotidectomy, including demographic data, surgical approach, tumor pathology and size, blood loss, drain placement, postoperative pain control, and complications, was done. A comparison was performed between patients undergoing drain placement and those treated with "drainless" technique. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients underwent parotidectomy (42 drainless; 49 drained). Intraoperative blood loss was lower in the "drainless" group (16.0 mL vs 34.9 mL, P < .001). There was a lower rate of facial nerve paresis in the "drainless" group compared with the "drained" cohort (7% vs 16.3%, P = .18). Seroma formation and infection rate was similar. CONCLUSION: In the properly selected patient, outpatient drainless parotidectomy is a viable procedure with comparable outcomes to traditional extended stay drained parotidectomy.