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Incidence and Possible Predictive Factors of Facial Nerve Paralysis after Superficial Parotidectomy for Benign Tumours: Our Experience

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Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Salivary gland tumors represent 3–10% of all head and neck neoplasms. Most of the tumours are benign with parotid gland being most commonly affected. Surgical intervention in the form of parotidectomy forms the mainstay of treatment. Among the various postoperative complications that may occur after parotidectomy, facial nerve weakness is the most dreaded one for both the surgeon as well as the patient. In the literature, the incidence of transient facial weakness after parotid surgery ranges from 10 to 68%, and long-term dysfunction ranges from 0 to 19%. Apart from injury mechanisms such as nerve division, stretch, thermal injuries, ischemia, several other risk factors such as tumour size, disease duration etc. have also been identified for post parotidectomy facial nerve dysfunction which vary considerably from study to study. Thus, facial nerve injury despite being a common and dreaded complication is also a preventable one. We in our institute conducted a retrospective study from January 2018 to December 2021 to evaluate the incidence of facial nerve weakness and possible predictive factors among 60 patients who underwent superficial parotidectomy for benign tumours and found that when it comes to benign tumours surgical technique rather than tumour factors are more important in preventing nerve injury. Undertaking this study was important in order to emphasize the importance of extensive preoperative planning and better surgical practices among budding head and neck surgeons in our country.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of E.N.T, Head and Neck surgery, Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Delhi, India

    Pankaj Kumar, Ajay Gupta, Nitish Aggarwal & Saurabh Vijay

  2. Dept. of E.N.T, Head and Neck surgery, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India

    Pallika Kumar

  3. Dept. of E.N.T, Head and Neck surgery, Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Room no. 2279, Bhagawan Mahavir Marg, Sector 6 Rd, Rohini, Delhi, 110085, India

    Nitish Aggarwal

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  1. Pankaj Kumar
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  2. Ajay Gupta
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  4. Saurabh Vijay
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  5. Pallika Kumar
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Correspondence to Nitish Aggarwal.

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Kumar, P., Gupta, A., Aggarwal, N. et al. Incidence and Possible Predictive Factors of Facial Nerve Paralysis after Superficial Parotidectomy for Benign Tumours: Our Experience. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 75, 2000–2005 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-023-03690-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-023-03690-9

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