Removal of nonthyroidal neck masses with improved cosmetic outcomes in skin-lifting surgery.

Abstract

To evaluate the cosmetic benefit of neck skin-lifting surgery for the removal of nonthyroidal neck masses. Fifty patients with neck masses were divided into the following 2 surgical groups that were matched in age, sex, and the size, location, and pathology of lesions: skin lifting (n = 25) and conventional (n = 25). The operation time, hospital stay, complications, and subjective satisfaction with the incision scar as assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS) were compared between the 2 groups. All but 2 lesions (lymphomas) were benign and were removed completely, drained, or biopsied. The surgery time, hospital stay, and complication rates did not differ significantly between the groups. The mean satisfaction score of the patients was 8.2 +/- 1.1 in the skin-lifting surgery group and 4.8 +/- 2.5 in the controls (P < 0.001). The incision scars were commonly hidden by natural hair or collars in the patients who received skin-lifting surgery. This surgical technique can be safely applied to most benign masses in the entire neck excluding the thyroid region, especially in patients who prefer neck scars to be invisible. B-2b.