Early post‐operative morbidity after superficial parotidectomy: a prospective study concerning pain and resumption of normal activity

Abstract

The degree of pain and time to return to work following superficial parotidectomy has not previously been reported. Pain is measured by use of visual analogue scale and the use of analgesics is registered 14 days after superficial parotidectomy. Results showed that pain is generally weak after superficial parotidectomy and can be treated with mild analgesics. Pain is considerably lower than, e.g. after tonsillectomy. Median number of days until total recovery was 12 days (range: 3-70), and median time to return to work was 16 days (range: 3-70). We recommend 2 weeks recreation period after superficial parotidectomy.

Long‐term results of morbidity after parotid gland surgery in benign disease

“…This seems to reflect the growing interest in how the patients perceive their morbidity 1, 17, 18, 24–26. Because no standard questionnaire regarding the sequelae after parotid gland surgery has been developed to date, different or otherwise developed and in part standardized questionnaires, such as the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire (modified), the Facial Disability Index (FDI) and the SF‐36 Health Survey,1, 17, 27 or self‐made questionnaires that focused on selected major and minor complaints12, 23, 2 were used 18, 25–28. Patients' interest in those questionnaires is reflected by the reported completion rate, which ranged from 50% to 94% and is comparable to that in our study, which was 69.3%.…”

“…An analog scale was used in our interviews to estimate the level of complaints in our patients. VAS proved to be suited for estimating the impact of salivary gland surgery on the quality of life,23, 24 scar formation,10 and pain 25. Ryan et al showed that patient scores correlated well with clinical findings and objective testing 23.…”

“…These included facial nerve paresis,3, 4, 7, 12, 14–18 Frey's syndrome,3, 6, 12, 17–20 salivary fistula,1, 6, 21, 22 disturbed wound healing,3, 6, 13 and tumor recurrence 3, 4, 9, 10, 13. Some authors advised taking into account the impact of minor complications, and in recent publications those minor complications, such as loss of sensitivity of the great auricular nerve,8, 18, 23, 24 pain,17, 18, 25 and change of cosmetic appearance,1, 10, 17, 18 were emphasized.…”

“…Only a few authors published data that describe how the patients perceive their complications or the adverse effects and how they judge their results after parotid gland surgery. To categorize the perceptions of the patients, various standardized or self‐made questionnaires were used1, 12, 17, 18, 23, 25 Scores, especially visual analog scores (VAS), were used for semiquantitative estimation of the impact of complications after parotidectomy on the quality of life or global health 1, 12, 17, 18, 23–26. Some reports focused on single major or minor complications, including facial nerve paresis,17, 27 Frey's syndrome,17 sensory deficit of the great auricular nerve (GAN),23, 24, 26, 28 pain,17, 25 and perception of the scar and the cosmetic appearance 10, 17, 25, 29…”

Vessel sealing system uvulopalatoplasty versus uvulopalatal flap: a randomized, controlled study of efficacy and adverse effects

“…Efficacy in hemostasis and tissue trauma from different operative techniques may result in different operative time and different degrees of morbidity including intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain, postoperative hemorrhage, and velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). The vessel sealing system (VSS) has been widely used in head and neck surgery because of its effectiveness and safety [11][12][13][14][15][16]. It was also found quite effective and safe in tonsillectomy procedures, providing excellent hemostasis and minimal tissue trauma.…”