Parotid Fistula Complicating Surgical Excision of a Basal Cell Carcinoma: Successful Treatment with Botulinum Toxin Type A

Abstract

The cheek is a common site for the development of cutaneous neoplasms requiring surgical management. It is one of the regions of the face least susceptible to procedural morbidity but deep dissections overlying the parotid gland or in the region of the parotid (Stenson’s) duct may cause trauma precipitating the formation of a parotid fistula to the skin surface. The parotid duct lies along a line drawn between the tragus and the middle of the cutaneous upper lip. The buccal branch of the facial nerve runs in close proximity to the parotid duct.