Prospective study on complications using different techniques for parotidectomy for benign tumors

• Published in: Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology 2021-12, Vol.6 (6), p.1367-1375
• Main Authors: Thölken, Rubens, Jering, Monika, Mayer, Marcel, Schiele, Stefan, Müller, Gernot, Zenk, Johannes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bias; complication after parotidectomy; Cysts; Dissection; extracapsular dissection; facial palsy; Fistula; Frey's syndrome; Head and Neck, and Tumor Biology; Hematoma; Hemorrhage; Original Research; parotidectomy for benign neoplasms; Patients; Surgery; Surgical techniques; Tumors; Variables
• ISSN: 2378-8038; 2378-8038
• DOI: 10.1002/lio2.694

Objectives Long‐term prospective studies on procedure‐related complications after parotid surgery for benign neoplasms (BNs) are scarce. This is the first prospective study on the use of extracapsular dissection (ECD) for BNs, and it aimed to examine the incidence of postoperative complications after parotid surgery for BN. Methods We collected data obtained in a prospective study of parotidectomy for BN at a university hospital and analyzed the transient and long‐term complications. Results The incidence rates of transient facial palsy immediately and 18 months after surgery were 15.0% and 3.7%, respectively. The rates of immediate postoperative facial palsy in patients who underwent ECD, partial superficial, superficial, and total parotidectomy were 5.8%, 29.3%, 20.0%, and 44.1%, respectively. Significant risk factors for facial palsy included multiple and larger lesions as well as surgery duration and extension. Conclusions Postoperative facial palsy remains a common complication after parotidectomy for BN and is associated with the extent of parotidectomy, presence of multiple neoplasms, and operative duration. The results of this study showed that ECD could be a safe technique for avoiding facial palsy. Level of Evidence: 2.