Thyroid, Salivary Gland & Sialendoscopy Conditions
Thyroid, Salivary Gland & Sialendoscopy Procedures
Parotidectomy
What is a Parotidectomy ?
The Parotid glands are saliva producing glands located in front of the ears over the jaw bone through which passes the nerve of facial expression; the glands open via a duct on the inside of the cheek on either sides.
A Parotidectomy is an operation to surgically remove a part or all of the parotid gland along with the disease or lump / tumour in it. It is an operation performed under general anaesthesia.
What is a Parotidectomy done for ?
Some of the conditions a parotidectomy may be advised for are :
- Benign (Non Cancerous) lumps or tumours of Parotid gland. (Read here to know more on Salivary Gland Tumours)
- Cancerous tumours of Parotid gland as a part of definitive treatment.
- Chronic inflammation of Parotid gland not responding to medical treatment.
- Chronic sialolithiasis (Stones) of Parotid gland not treatable with sialendoscopy.
- Parotidectomy may be done for removal of lymph nodes within parotid gland for cancers of facial skin overlying the parotid gland.
Our ENT, Head Neck Surgeon will discuss the entire treatment plan and options with the patient and family. We consider the complete history , findings on clinical examination and the findings on all investigations such as FNAC, Ultrasound and CT / MRI to advise you on the most appropriate option.
Surgical Considerations & Nerve Preservation :
The team will discuss the nature of the surgery, the placement of the incision, and the type of parotid tissue removal that would be appropriate for that particular person.
The Parotid glad has two lobes – Superficial and Deep. These are separated by the nerve that moves the face ( facial nerve) along with some blood vessels.
Depending on the individual requirement, we may advise from the following :
Extracapsular dissection of Parotid gland : for less than 1cm lesion of parotid gland mostly located at the lower pole of the gland without exploration of facial nerve.
Superficial parotidectomy : Removal of part or all of the superficial lobe of parotid gland with facial nerve exploration, done for benign lesions mostly.
Total conservative parotidectomy: Removal of superficial and deep lobe of parotid gland trying to save facial nerve.
Radical Parotidectomy: Removal of whole parotid gland with facial nerve.
Extended Radical Parotidectomy: Removal of parotid gland with facial nerve along with adjacent skin, muscle, soft tissue or bone for extensive cancers.
Our aim is to ensure the best outcome in terms of disease / tumour removal with minimal complication. This type of surgery requires the surgical team to be delicate and precise, as it our priority to identify and preserve the facial nerve.
Our team therefore , routinely uses advanced technology like Facial Nerve monitoring and the use of magnification (using loupes or microscope) while handling the facial nerve during the surgery, so as to prevent trauma and ensure safe tumour removal.
We will also discuss the postoperative course and what to expect after the surgery.
For more details please read the information sheet here.