What is partial parotidectomy?
A superficial (or lateral) parotidectomy involves removing all of the gland superficial to the facial nerve, whereas a partial superficial parotidectomy involves removing only the portion of the gland surrounding a tumor or mass.
What is the primary surgical danger in a parotidectomy?
The most significant complication is the facial nerve dysfunction that can appear as paralysis (complete loss of function) or paresis (partial loss) (2,3). In most cases, this facial paresis is temporary and recovery of nerve function is achieved before 6 months after surgery, usually within the first two months (4,5).
How long does it take to recover from a parotidectomy?
For most people, these problems get better within 3 to 4 months. But it can take as long as a year. In some cases, problems with facial movement are permanent. This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover.
How can you prevent facial nerve injury in parotidectomy?
Using a team approach Azizzadeh, to prevent facial paralysis during parotid surgery. Dr. Azizzadeh is a leading facial nerve expert, and bringing him in during a parotid surgery largely reduces the chance of parotid surgery caused facial paralysis.
How long will I be off work after a parotidectomy?
The skin color will return to normal in the following two weeks. May return to work anywhere between 10-14 days after surgery. May return to exercise in 3-4 weeks.
Can a parotid tumor grow back?
Recurrent parotid tumors unfortunately regrow after initial treatment, requiring further surgery. Repeat surgery increases both the chances of facial paralysis and facial cosmetic deformities.
How do you sleep after a parotidectomy?
Sleeping with proper support is essential to the healing process. In the first month after surgery it is best to sleep with 2-3 pillows, because the head being elevated a little bit helps bring down the swelling faster. But not use too many pillows that would stop from sleeping well. Sleep is very important for healing …
Is parotidectomy a major surgery?
MSK’s parotid gland surgeons, including Ian Ganly, have extensive experience in using precise techniques that help preserve the facial nerve. For many people with parotid gland tumors, surgery performed by a head and neck surgeon is the main treatment. This operation is called a parotidectomy.
Can a parotid gland grow back?
Do benign parotid tumors have to be removed?
Treatment of Salivary Gland Tumors If you have a benign tumor, your doctor may recommend surgical removal to prevent it from becoming malignant over time. A benign tumor in the parotid gland can be removed using a surgical procedure called a partial superficial parotidectomy.
How often do parotid tumors come back?
Overall, the recurrence rate was estimated to be between 8% and 45% after enucleation, between 2% and 5% after superficial parotidectomy, and less than 0.4% after total parotidectomy [1, 2, 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23].
How long will I be off work after a Parotidectomy?
Are there any side effects to parotidectomy surgery?
The very surgery is performed in order to remove tumors from the gland. There are possible complications of parotidectomy. Some are treatable and not so serious while others can lead to permanent damage. Hemorrhage can occur as one of the complications of parotidectomy.
Can a parotid tumor be removed from the face?
A parotidectomy may be superficial, removing only the outer, cancerous part of the gland. A total parotidectomy is used to remove parotid tumors which affect deep parts of the gland. Sometimes, this type of surgery requires the removal of the facial nerve as well.
How to minimize the risk of parotid surgery?
Surgeons have to pay attention to minimize the risk of complication during parotidectomy. The best means of reducing iatrogenic facial nerve injury, in parotid surgery, still remains a clear understanding of the anatomy, good surgical technique with the use of multiple anatomic landmarks.
What are the side effects of a parotid tumor?
Infected parotid gland may cause headache, fever, muscle andjoint pains and swelling of the face, and patients can feel the lump under thechin or on the cheek. Tumor grows slowly and this is very painful for thepatient. Enlarged salivary glands, dry mouth, sores and infections, sialolithsand tooth decay may indicate a parotid tumor.