Superficial Parotidectomy for Juvenile Recurrent Parotitis

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate long-term outcomes, imaging, and pathologic findings in pediatric patients who underwent superficial parotidectomy for recalcitrant juvenile recurrent parotitis (JRP).

Methods: Records for 20 children (23 parotidectomies; 9 females, 11 males; age at surgery of 8.6 ± 3.7 years) collected over a 10-year period (2012-2021) were reviewed. Parents were contacted via telephone to obtain extended follow-up. A simplified scoring system was used to assess imaging findings and an additional pathologic review was conducted to further clarify the underlying disease process.

Results: All but one patient experienced resolution of their recurrent symptoms after superficial parotidectomy. Three of the patients studied required surgery on the contralateral side, and this could be predicted based on their imaging at the time of the initial surgery. Pathologic findings included ductal fibrosis, metaplasia, and dilatation as well as parenchymal atrophy and fatty deposition. There were no major surgical complications, however, the incidence of Frey's syndrome in this sample was 43.5% of surgical sites.

Conclusion: For patients with frequent recalcitrant symptoms or significant quality of life impairment related to JRP, superficial parotidectomy represents a potential treatment option with the noted reduction in symptom burden following surgery. Further longitudinal studies are needed.

Level of evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 133:1495-1500, 2023.

Keywords: Juvenile recurrent parotitis; imaging; parotidectomy; pathology.