EXTRACAPSULAR DISSECTION OF THE PAROTID GLAND VERSUS SUPERFICIAL PAROTIDECTOMY FOR BENIGN TUMORS MANAGEMENT

Background: Superficial parotidectomy can result in significant complications as facial paralysis. This study aimed to
analyze the outcome of extracapsular dissection of benign parotid tumors in terms of recurrence and morbidity in
comparison with superficial parotidectomy.
Materials and methods: The sample for this study consisted of 20 patients with benign parotid tumors, 10 of them
were treated by extracapsular dissection and followed up for about ten years postoperatively and 10 patients with
similar pathology who are treated by superficial parotidectomy in Azadi teaching hospital in Kirkuk. All the 20
subjects aged 30-60 years-old and had different benign parotid tumors but the vast majority of these tumors were
pleomorphic adenomas. The definitive diagnosis was made by histopathologic examination. Post-operative follow up
depended on the clinical (and radiological examinations in some cases).
Results: the present study data showed that the extracapsular dissection has very less postoperative complications as
permanent and temporary paralysis of facial nerve, salivary fistula, sialocele, Frey’s syndrome, and cosmetic defect
with hollowing of the facial contour behind the mandible in comparison with superficial parotidectomy and no
recurrence discovered over 10 years of follow-up provided that meticulous dissection around the tumor capsule is
undertaken without disruption of the tumor’s capsule and excising tumor including a normal cuff of salivary tissue
surrounding the tumor.
Conclusions: extracapsular dissection is a good substitute for superficial parotidectomy in case of benign tumors.