A Prospective Comparison of Robotic and Endoscopic SMG Resection Via Retroauricular Approach

The surgical procedure and the considerations for surrounding neurovascular structures were similar to that of the endoscope-assisted SMG resection. The da Vinci surgical system (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) including a 30° dual channel endoscopic arm and two instrument arms was introduced. The SMG was retracted using the 5-mm Maryland forceps on the left and the dissection was conducted using a 5-mm spatula monopolar cautery or a Harmonic curved shears on the right. A Yankauer suction handled by a bed-side assistant could be used for counter traction of the gland which facilitated the dissection procedure.

An assistant held a 10-mm 30° rigid endoscope allowing the operating surgeon to use both hands. Surgical resection tools such as dissector and Harmonic scalpel (Harmonic Ace 23E®; Johnson \& Johnson Medical, Cincinnati, OH, USA) was held in the right hand and a Yankauer suction or a Debakey forcep was held on the left for traction of the SMG. The dissection plane between the capsule of the SMG was conducted under magnified endoscopic view using the the blade of the Harmonic scalpel and the endoscopic dissector. Routine identification of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve was unnecessary in SMG resection, since the dissection plane was always deep to the middle layer of the deep cervical fascia which includes the fascia of the gland. The Wharton's duct, facial artery and vein were ligated using the Harmonic scalpel or vascular clip.