Complications after surgery for benign parotid gland neoplasms: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background: Prospective studies on procedure-specific incidences of complications after benign parotid surgery are lacking. Predictive factors for postoperative facial dysfunction remain controversial.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study on 132 patients undergoing parotid surgery for benign parotid neoplasms. We analyzed complication rates and assessed risk factors of postoperative transient facial palsy.

Results: Facial palsy rate was 40.2% on the first postoperative day, 28.3% at 2 weeks, 3.9% at 6 months, and 1.6% at 12 months. Immediate postoperative palsy rates in subgroups of partial superficial parotidectomy, superficial parotidectomy, extended parotidectomy, and ECD were 41.5%, 43.8%, 53.8%, and 6.3%, respectively. Age, duration of surgery, and use of ultrasound knife were identified as risk factors for transient facial palsy.

Conclusion: Depending on the operation type, up to half of the patients experience facial palsy after benign parotid surgery. Higher age and longer duration of operation increase the risk. The role of operative instrumentation requires further studies. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 170-176, 2017.

Keywords: benign tumor; facial palsy; parotidectomy; postoperative complication; risk factors.