Use of Propensity Score Matching to Compare Short Outcomes from Transoral and External Surgical Approaches in Patients with Deep-Lobe Parotid Pleomorphic Adenomas

• Published in: Current Oncology
• Main Authors: Yue Fan, Shuguang Li, Shuting Yu, Xiaoli Zhu, Xiaohua Shi, Wuyi Li, Zhiqiang Gao, Xingming Chen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
• Subjects: propensity score matching; pleomorphic adenoma; parotid gland; deep lobe; transoral approach; recurrence
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/28/4/272

To compare the outcomes of patients who had deep-lobe parotid gland pleomorphic adenomas (PAs) that extended into the parapharyngeal space after surgical treatment, using a transoral approach or an external approach. One hundred and twelve eligible patients, with deep-lobe parotid gland PAs, were enrolled in this retrospective study. The surgical outcomes were compared for patients who received a transoral approach and an external approach, using 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM). The outcome measures were recurrence rate, facial nerve deficit, Frey’s syndrome, and hospitalization time. The median follow-up time was 4.8 years. After PSM, the transoral approach and external approach groups had no statistically significant difference in recurrence (10.3% vs. 3.4%; <i>p</i> = 0.201). The transoral approach group had no facial nerve deficit, but 5 of 29 patients (17.2%) in the external approach group had transient facial nerve paralysis (<i>p</i> = 0.052). The external approach group had a longer hospitalization time than the transoral approach group (5 vs. 4 days, <i>p</i> = 0.0017). The use of a transoral surgical approach to treat patients with deep-lobe parotid gland PAs led to low recurrence, shorter hospitalization times, and good functional and cosmetic outcomes.