A tonsillectomy blade (No. 12) is believed superior to a No. 15 blade or scissors for dissection of parotid tissue away from the facial nerve. The advantage of the tonsillectomy knife lies in the fact that the scalpel handle is perpendicular to the distal portion of the blade rather than in line with it, thereby preventing the surgeon's hand and the scalpel handle from obstructing his view of the facial nerve.