The role of partial parotidectomy for benign parotid tumors: A case-control study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the results and complications after partial parotidectomy vs superficial parotidectomy, as primary treatment of benign parotid tumors. Study design: Case-control study. Setting: University hospital. Subjects and methods: A case-control study is presented on parotidectomy, comparing a group of 25 patients treated by partial parotidectomy vs a similar group of 25 patients treated by superficial parotidectomy. All patients had primary benign parotid tumors, were matched by sex and age, and had a minimum follow-up of 4 years. Independent variables included sex, age, medical history, intra-operative variables (surgical time, estimated blood loss, type of drainage, use of collagen), fine-needle aspiration cytology, computed tomography findings, and final histopathological diagnosis. Outcome measures were early and late complications, such as facial nerve paralysis, seroma, sialocele, Frey syndrome, and recurrence. Results: Partial parotidectomy resulted in less early and late complications than superficial parotidectomy, with similar recurrence rates. Temporal facial paresis was found in 4% of partial surgeries, vs 12% of superficial parotidectomies, a significant difference. Three months after surgery, only one patient has a persistent marginal nerve paresis. In contrast, sialocele was more common after partial parotidectomy (28% vs 16%), a significant difference. Conclusions: Partial parotidectomy achieves less early and late complications than superficial parotidectomy, with similar recurrence rates.