Introduction
Driven by the advancement of surgical technique and operative adjuncts (loupes and intraoperative nerve monitoring device), parotidectomy is a safe and highly curable therapy, especially for benign parotid nodule. Minimally invasive surgery in the forms of partial parotidectomy (PP) or extracapsular dissection (ECD) have emerged and been gaining popularity as a viable alternative of traditional superficial parotidectomy (SP) [1]. The advantages of PP or ECD encompass shorter operation duration, less complications and feasibility of day procedure [2].
Conventionally, placement of drain following SP, PP or ECD is routinely practiced to prevent wound complications, such as seroma, siaolocele, hematoma or wound infection. However, this can aggravate wound pain and deter the conduct of day surgery. Tissue sealant has been shown to reduce drainage output after parotidectomy and thereby potentially enable drainless parotidectomy. Nevertheless, tissue sealant is not yet widely employed during parotidectomy.
Usage of tissue sealant for drainless parotidectomy has been adopted selectively in our institution at surgeons’ discretion since January 2019. Prompted by its rewarding results achieved, it has become our routine practice since June 2021. We would like to share the technique and results in our institution. Informed consents were obtained from all patients for parotidectomy and usage of tissue sealant.