This video demonstrates a superficial parotidectomy approach for the excision of a first branchial cleft cyst in a pediatric patient. This particular patient was a 4-year-old girl who presented with intermittent swelling in the region of the left parotid. On MRI, she was found to have a lobular mass consistent with a first branchial cleft cyst. Here we outline the steps of the recommended surgical procedure.
Authors: Sarah Maurrasse, MD1,2; Monica Herron, MPAS, PA-C1; John Maddalozzo MD, FAAP, FACS1,2
Editors: Sarah Maurrasse1,2; Jesse Arseneau1
Voiceover: Vidal Maurrasse
1Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
2Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Superficial parotidectomy for excision of a left first branchial cleft cyst
First branchial cleft cysts are congenital masses that form due to a developmental anomaly of the branchial apparatus. Although they are benign, branchial cleft cysts can cause problems due to superinfection and mass effect. First branchial cleft cysts are divided into two types--Type I and Type II. Type I are purely ectodermal, typically present posterior to the pinna, and are usually superior to the main trunk of the facial nerve. Type II lesions, which are more common, include ectodermal and mesodermal structures and represent a duplication of the external auditory canal (EAC). These are often associated with the parotid gland and can be mistaken for a parotid tumor. These cysts can be associated with fistulae to the concha, EAC, or neck.
Surgical excision is the definitive treatment for branchial cleft cysts. Surgical excision is indicated for branchial cleft cysts when there are associated complications such as recurrent infections, recurrent swelling, a cosmetic deformity, or in the case of first branchial cleft cysts, persistent otorrhea.
-Active infection
-Bleeding disorder (relative)
-Endotracheal intubation
-Avoid long acting paralytic
-Facial nerve monitoring
-Sterile prep and drape with face visible
CT/MRI is often used to determine if there is parotid involvement and/or if there is a connection to the external auditory canal.
Suspicious lesions on imaging may warrant preoperative biopsy.
-Greater auricular nerve
-Anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle
-Internal jugular vein
-Parotid
-Posterior border of the digastric
-Tragal cartilage
The tragal pointer, the posterior belly of the digastric muscle, and the tympanomastoid suture-line are used as landmarks to identify the main trunk of the facial nerve. The nerve exits the skull base at the stylomastoid foramen, which is bracketed by the posterior belly of the digastric and stylohyoid muscle.
Advantages include prevention of future infections and further scarring, cure for persistent otorrhea, and removal of a mass causing cosmetic concern.
Disadvantages include surgical scar and possible need for additional surgery.
-Bleeding
-Scarring
-Surgical wound infection
-Injury to the facial nerve
-Tympanic membrane perforation
-Recurrence
None
The authors would like to thank Vidal Maurrasse for his voiceover work.
Adams A, Mankad K, Offiah C, Childs L. Branchial cleft anomalies: a pictorial review of embryological development and spectrum of imaging findings. Insights Imaging. 2016 Feb. 7 (1):69-76.
Baader WM, Lewis JM. First branchial cleft cysts presenting as parotid tumors. Ann Plast Surg. 1994;33:72-74.
Finn DG, Buchalter IH, Sarti E, Romo T, Chodosh P. First branchial cleft cysts: clinical update. Laryngoscope. 1987 Feb;97(2):136-40.
Krishnamurthy A, Ramshanker V. A Type I first branchial cleft cyst masquerading as a parotid tumor. Natl J Maxillofac Surg. 2014 Jan. 5 (1):84-5.
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Here, we have a 39 yrs old female with complaints of noisy breathing for last two years post thyroidectomy. Flexible laryngoscopy confirmed bilateral vocal cord paralysis. She was planned for coblation assisted cordectomy.
Patient was taken up for procedure under general anaesthesia. She also started having stridor after induction. Nasopharyngeal intubation with spontaneous breathing technique was used. Entropy leads were placed over forehead to monitor the depth of anaesthesia. Tube position was confirmed with endoscopic view and Benjamin lindohlm laryngoscope was suspended. As the patient was spontaneously breathing, the stridor became more prominent, with stable vitals and the procedure was continued. The vocal cord retractor was fixed and coblation wand was then used with 7:3 settings for ablation and coagulation respectively. The surgical limits were-anteriorly the junction between ant 2/3 and post 1/3 of the vocal cord, posteriorly just anterior to the vocal process of arytenoid to prevent cartilage exposure and post operative granulations. Superely till the ventricle and inferioly till the medial most surface of the subglottis. Laterally approx. 5 mm depth was defined to prevent injury to the superior laryngeal artery branch and further bleeding. Once the final airway was achieved , the topical lignocaine was used to prevent laryngeal spasm post extubation.
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So lets have a look on some tips & tricks for the safe procedure—–
Nasopharyngeal insufflation technique with entropy monitor will give adequate and safe surgical field
2. Appropriate exposure will help you to delineate the surgical margins
3. Topical anaesthesia before and after the procedure will prevent sudden laryngeal spasm
4. Firm holding of coblation device will help to prevent injury to surrounding structures like anterior 2/3 vocal cord, opposite side vocal cord, medial surface of vocal cord or aryteroid posteriorly
5. Do not ablate more laterally to prevent bleeding, if at all it happens, use patties or coagulation switch for hemostasis.
6. And at the end of the procedure ,use catheter suction to suck out blood clots or saline from the airway if any….
To Conclude-Coblation Assisted Cordectomy( CAC) can be performed safely with good outcomes in case of bilateral vocal cord paralysis using tubeless anesthesia technique without tracheostomy !
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Review Superficial Parotidectomy for a First Branchial Cleft Cyst.