RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to present our experience with a modification of the Blair approach to the parotid area, by means of a modified endaural component, which provides both excellent exposure and optimal functional and esthetic results, mainly over the preauricular area. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective case series study was performed. It included surgical cases of patients who were operated on the parotid region in which the mentioned approach was indicated. The information was collected from the database available at the Universidad El Bosque Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department in Bogota, Colombia from 2008 to 2013. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 12 patients, with ages ranging from 23 to 56 years and a mean age of 38 years. A total of 8 patients were women and 4 patients were men. Parotid pathologies included salivary gland tumor (10 patients) and cranial base tumor (2 patients). Procedures executed were: superficial lobe and total parotidectomy resection, pharynx extended and cranial base tumor resections. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation presents our experience with a modified approach to the parotid region. This approach gives an extended and safe exposure to the region with excellent cosmetic outcomes.