Extracapsular Surgery

 Extracapsular dissection (ECD) of parotid tumors is a surgical technique used to remove tumors from the parotid gland while preserving the facial nerve. This technique involves making a small incision behind the ear, identifying and preserving the facial nerve, and carefully dissecting the tumor from the gland.

ECD has several advantages over traditional open parotidectomy, including a smaller incision, reduced risk of facial nerve injury, and faster recovery time. However, it may not be suitable for all types of parotid tumors or for tumors located in certain areas of the gland.

Patients who undergo ECD for parotid tumors typically experience minimal pain and scarring and are able to return to normal activities within a few days.

Yoo MC, Park JO, Park HY, Kim SH. Extracapsular dissection of parotid tumors. Arch Craniofac Surg. 2018 Mar;19(1):14-19. doi: 10.7181/acfs.2017.01702. Epub 2018 Mar 20. PMID: 29554735; PMCID: PMC5868318.

Image credit:  File:An Overview Of Parotid Glands.jpg - Wikimedia Commons