Abstract: ［Abstract］Objective To investigate the protective effect of ultrasonic scalpel combined with cosmetic incision on facial nerve in surgery for parotid neoplasms.
Methods One hundred and fifty patients with parotid neoplasms were selected and they were divided into observation group and control group by the random number table method with 75 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with ultrasonic scalpel combined with cosmetic incision, while the control group was treated with traditional electrotome combined with cosmetic incision. The indexes during and after surgery, facial nerve electromyogram, grade of facial nerve function, complications after surgery and tumor recurrence rate were compared between the two groups.
Results The surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume and hospitalization time of the observation group were significantly shorter or less than those of the control group(P＜0.05). The wave amplitude in observation group at 30 days after surgery was significantly higher than that in control group while the degeneration rate of nerve injury was significantly lower than that in control group(P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in grade of facial nerve function between two groups at 30 days after surgery(P＞0.05). The incidence rates of temporary facial paralysis and earlobe numbness in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group(P＜0.05).
Conclusion Ultrasonic scalpel has good hemostatic and cutting function. Its combined use with cosmetic incision can reduce the facial nerve injury in resection of parotid neoplasms, shorten the surgical time and accelerate the rehabilitation process.

Key words: parotid neoplasms, cosmetic incision, ultrasonic scalpel, facial nerve