Surgical complications and its management after parotidectomy: Our 4 years experience

Background: The majority of parotid tumours are benign. Nealy 80 % of parotid tumour involve the superficial lobe. Parotidectomy was first introduced into the world literature by Berard in 1823 who removed first parotid tumor. Parotidectomy has well-documented post-operative complications.Aims & Objectives: The aim is to study the postoperative complications and its management after parotidectomy.Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 60 patients who underwent parotidectomy by antegrade technique from July 2014-july 2019 for parotid tumours. Patients were submitted to careful history taking, complete clinical examination, and examination of facial nerve integrity before surgery.48 patients underwent superficial parotidectomy (44 patients for pleomorphic adenoma,4 patients for warthin’s tumour) and 12 patients underwent Total conservative parotidectomy (9 patients for parotid malignancy and 2 patients for pleomorphic adenoma recurrence and 1 patients for pleomorphic adenoma involving deep lobe of parotid).Results: In our study, out of 48 patients underwent superficial parotidectomy 18 patient developed complications and 12 patients underwent Total conservative parotidectomy 10 patients developed complication. Several complications have been reported in parotid surgery. Temporary facial nerve paresis was the most common postoperative complication followed by hypoesthesia of greater auricular nerve. Most patient regained normal facial nerve function within 2 months after surgery.Conclusion: Parotid tumours are the most common salivary gland tumours. Majority of parotid tumours are benign and involve the superficial lobe. Parotidectomy is the defenite procedure for parotid tumours. Parotidectomy is challenging procedure because of the intraparenchymal course of the facial nerve and has its own complications. Surgical complications are higher in total conservative parotidectomy than in superficial parotidectomy. Complications are reduced by proper dissection technique and treated carefully if complication arises.