Abstract
A 55-year-old woman was referred to our department in September 1995. She had noticed a mass in the left buccal region in January 1994, however, she had received no medical treatment for fear of a facial skin incision. Computed tomography showed a tumor measuring 3.5 × 2.5 cm in the left buccal region. Based on its anatomical location, it was suspected to be a benign tumor originating from the accessory parotid gland. The tumor was removed by the oral approach in accordance with her wishes. During the operation, the tumor capsule ruptured and the tumor was dividedly extirpated. The histopathological diagnosis of the removed tumor was pleomorphic adenoma. She decided to stop visiting our hospital afterwards. In March 2008, she noticed a tumor in the left buccal region again and was reexamined. The recurrent tumor measured 7.8 × 5.7 cm and extended to the inside of the zygomatic arch. The recurrent tumor was removed through a transbuccal approach. The histopathological diagnosis of the surgical specimen was recurrent pleomorphic adenoma. After the second surgery, she complained that a depression had developed in the left buccal region. So, in May 2009, the depression was repaired using a free vascularized lipo-fascia forearm flap to the patient's satisfaction.
