An Experience of Superficial Parotidectomy in Tertiary Care Teaching Hospitals

Background: Superficial parotidectomy is associated with a decreased incidence of transient facial nerve paralysis compared with that of total parotidectomy. Aim: To analyze the clinical presentation, histopathology and complications following superficial parotidectomy performed for benign parotid tumors. Methods: Two center study data was collected from the Surgical Unit I, Department of Surgery AIMC/Jinnah Hospital Lahore (1st January 2012 to October 2018) and Surgical Unit II, Department of Surgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore (November 2018 to 31st December 2020). All patients who underwent superficial Parotidectomy surgery for benign parotid tumors, from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2020 were assessed for intra-operative and post-operative complications. Demographic data, intraoperative details, and postoperative outcomes of all patients who underwent superficial parotidectomy were collected. Patients with benign parotid tumors on FNAC were included while patients with malignant cells on histopathology were excluded. Results: A total of 50 patients having benign parotid tumors on FNAC underwent superficial parotidectomy during this study period. There were 35 female patients (70%) and 15 male (30%), with female to male ratio of 2.3:1. The age range was 23-70 years with mean age of patients 35.6 years (5.65±SD). In 48% cases the tumor was on left side of face and in 52% cases it was on right side. Amongst 50 cases, on postoperative histopathology, 2 patients had malignant change. Key words: Superficial parotidectomy, pleomorphic adenoma, facial nerve paralysis.