PAROTID TUMORS; PRESENTATION, SURGICAL MANAGEMENT AND COMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Background: The parotid gland is the most common salivary gland affected by tumors, 80% of them affects the parotid glands and 80% affects the superficial lobe. Pleomorphic adenoma is the commonest salivary tumor. Other types of tumors occur less frequently. Most tumors are diagnosed with ultrasound; MRI shows more anatomical details. Superficial parotidectomy is done for benign tumors, more extensive resection is done for malignant tumors. Results: This a cross sectional study which included 69 patients who underwent various types of parotid surgeries over a period of 4 years. The mean age of our patients was 45.29 years, and 52.2% were males. The tumor was present in the right parotid gland in 49.3%, in the left side in 43.5%, and was bilateral in 2.9%. The mean duration of symptoms was 29.67 months, all patients were sent for ultrasound and 42 patients were sent for the FNAC, 91.3% of patients underwent superficial parotidectomy. Pleomorphic adenoma was the commonest type of tumors which was diagnosed in 69.6%, followed by Warthin’s tumors in 13%, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 4.3%, and the rest comprises some rare types of tumors. Complications were reported in 30.43% of patients and the commonest complications were transient facial nerve weakness followed by salivary leak (11.6 and 8.7 %) respectively. Conclusion: Parotid tumors are rare types of tumors and pleomorphic adenoma is the commonest type, identifying the anatomy during surgery especially the course of the facial nerve is the most important step, complications are common but fortunately most are transient.