Superficial parotidectomy versus partial superficial parotidectomy in treating benign parotid tumors

GANG HUANG,GUANGQI YAN,XIN HE,XINLI WEI

doi:10.3892/ol.2014.2743

GANG HUANG, GUANGQI YAN + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2014.2743

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare the outcomes of superficial parotidectomy (SP) and partial superficial parotidectomy (PSP) in treating benign parotid tumors. Individuals who had undergone SP or PSP between 2005 and 2008 were enrolled, the medical records were reviewed, and a questionnaire was created and mailed to the patients. For the statistical analysis, χ2 and non-parametric Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze the variables. In total, 320 patients were included in the present study. Within the PSP group, immediate facial nerve weakness occurred in six patients (7.6%), and Frey’s syndrome occurred in five (6.3%). Despite this, facial nerve function recovered fully during the follow-up, and recurrence was not identified. Within the SP group, Frey’s syndrome occurred in 38 patients (15.8%), immediate facial nerve weakness in 55 patients (22.8%) and permanent facial nerve dysfunction in two patients (0.8%). However, no recurrence was evident. In total, 216 (67.5%) patients returned the questionnaire. Those with PSP demonstrated improved scores in the domains of appearance, facial contours, facial nerve function and Frey’s syndrome. Compared with SP, PSP not only decreased the incidence of Frey’s syndrome and transient facial nerve weakness, but also improved quality of life outcomes and guaranteed a low recurrence rate.

Highlights

Parotid tumors represent 2‐3% of neoplasms affecting the head and neck, and 70‐85% of those occurring in the salivary glands [1]
The 320 patients enrolled in the present study were divided into two groups according to the type of parotidectomy that had been performed
Studies by Erkan et al [5] and Nitzan et al [6] reported that, following a parotidectomy, the general health status of the majority of patients was good. These studies concluded that parotidectomy did not appear to severely affect the overall quality of life (QoL), they did not evaluate whether there was a difference in the QoL following different resection types

Summary

Introduction

Parotid tumors represent 2‐3% of neoplasms affecting the head and neck, and 70‐85% of those occurring in the salivary glands [1]. The majority of lesions are benign and affect the superficial parotid lobe. Eligible patients were those who had undergone an SP or PSP for a previously untreated benign parotid tumor at the Department of Oral Maxillofacial Head and Neck Tumor Center, China Medical University, between 2005 and 2008. A QoL questionnaire was devised according to the Hebrew version of the University of Washington Quality of Life instrument [5,6] and subsequently mailed to the participants. The answers were scored according to the associated instructions, with high and low scores meaning low and high levels of complaint, respectively

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Results

Conclusion