The Usefulness of Partial Parotidectomy for Benign Parotid Gland Tumors A retrospective study of 306 cases

Removal of the Inferior Half of the Superficial Lobe Is Sufficient to Treat Pleomorphic Adenoma in the Tail of the Parotid Gland

“…Three reports of recurrence rates for pleomorphic adenomas ranged from 0% to 6%. [5][6][7] These rates compare favorably with estab-lished recurrence rates for superficial parotidectomy.…”

“…Reported facial nerve paresis rates after subtotal superficial parotidectomy range from 8.5% to 18%, with the incidence of facial nerve paresis being higher after superficial parotidectomy. [4][5][6] Recurrence rates for this procedure are difficult to determine from the literature since reports differ markedly in their length of follow-up and grouping of tumor types. The 2 most common benign tumors of the parotid tail region are pleomorphic adenoma and Warthin tumor.…”

“…Some surgeons perform capsular closure with absorbable suture to decrease the incidence of Frey syndrome. 5,6,8 In one study, 15% of patients undergoing subtotal superficial parotidectomy developed Frey syndrome (by the starch/iodine test) vs 91% of patients undergoing a superficial parotidectomy. 9 Wennmo et al 6 reported that 6% of patients developed Frey syndrome after subtotal superficial parotidectomy vs 18% after superficial parotidectomy.…”

“…In one study, where glandular function was measured by technetium Tc 99m sodium pertechnetate scintigraphy, there was better function after subtotal superficial parotidectomy than after classic superficial parotidectomy. 5,9 Subtotal superficial parotidectomy can often be performed through a smaller incision, requiring only the inferior part of a traditional superficial parotidectomy incision (not requiring the preauricular component). This procedure also causes smaller contour defects than those left by classic superficial parotidectomy.…”

Function‐preserving parotid surgery for benign tumors involving the deep parotid lobe

“…Surgery for benign parotid tumors has evolved from superficial or total parotidectomy to partial parotidectomy [1,2] or extracapsular dissection [3,4]. Superficial or total parotidectomy usually involves resection of a considerable amount of normal parotid tissue not associated with tumors, along with full dissection of the intraparotid facial nerve, leading in many patients to loss of parotid function and facial nerve paralysis [5].…”