Determining the degree of risk of postoperative complications in patients with a benign tumor of the parotid salivary gland

Abstract

Determination of the risk of postoperative complications in patients after surgical treatment of benign neoplasms of the parotid salivary glands. The results of treatment of 228 patients with benign neoplasms of the parotid salivary gland in the period from 2019 to 2021 were analyzed. A questionnaire of 7 questions was formed the answers to which allowed patients to be assigned to a certain risk group: low, medium, high or extremely high. This gradation allows choosing the optimal method and scope of surgical treatment for each patient individually. Patients of the first and second groups (low and medium risk) are characterized by the occurrence of temporary isolated facial nerve dysfunction with a short recovery period (up to 1 month), as well as sialocele associated with the preservation of a fragment of the gland. For the patients of the third and fourth groups (high and extremely high risk) in which parotidectomy was performed typical features included persistent paresis of facial muscles and facial soft tissue asymmetry. A personalized approach based on determining the degree of risk of postoperative complications helps surgeon in deciding on the scope of surgical treatment from subtotal resection to total parotidectomy.