What Is the Surgical Treatment for a Benign Parotid Gland Tumor?
A benign parotid gland tumor requires definitive surgical management. The operative approach is selected based on tumour size, location within the gland, and facial nerve status — each of which shapes the scope and technique of excision.
Clinical Situation
The goal is complete removal of the tumour while minimising risk to the facial nerve. Operative planning depends on whether the tumour is confined to the superficial lobe, its size, and pre-operative facial nerve function.
Treatment Approach (partial overview)
Management centres on complete surgical excision of the tumour. Depending on tumour characteristics, the appropriate procedure may range from a traditional parotidectomy involving facial nerve dissection to a more limited excision in appropriately selected cases. Facial nerve considerations are central to operative planning.
The complete structured regimen — including procedure selection criteria, nerve management steps, and repair options — is available via the full protocol.
References
DOI: 10.1017/S0022215116000566
- For benign parotid tumours complete excision of the tumour should be performed and offers good cure rates.
- Traditional management of benign parotid tumours is by dissection of the facial nerve leading to a superficial or total parotidectomy.
- There is increasing recognition that operations less than the traditional procedures (extracapsular dissection, partial parotidectomy and even endoscopically assisted parotidectomy) are as effective in selected patients.
- It is preferable that these procedures should be performed by expert surgeons in appropriately selected cases, such as small tumours confined to the superficial lobe.
- A 'lumpectomy' procedure should not be done due to high recurrence rates.
- As a general principle, if the facial nerve function is normal pre-operatively then every attempt to preserve facial nerve function should be made during parotidectomy and if the facial nerve is divided intra-operatively then immediate microsurgical repair (with an interposition nerve graft if required) should be considered.
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