PAROTIDECTOMY

What is a parotidectomy?

A parotidectomy is the surgical operation to remove the parotid salivary gland which is located in front of and just below the ear.  The most common reason for removal of the gland or part thereof  is a mass in the gland.  These masses of the parotid are most commonly benign in nature but occasionally are malignant.

Your consultation

The need to undergo parotidectomy will be based on your medical history, the results of a physical examination of the head and neck and possibly a fine needle aspiration (FNA) and a CT or occasionally an MRI scan.  A fine needle aspiration test samples some of the cells of the mass in the parotid and a pathologist can give an idea as to what the mass it.

How is the procedure undertaken?

The surgical procedure is performed under general anaesthetic.  The amount of parotid gland that will need to be removed is determined by the size of the mass and its location in the parotid gland.  The most important part of the operation is identifying the facial nerve which controls the movement on the same side of your face.  During the operation, it may be necessary to divide one of the small brances of this nerve if itis involved by the tumour.