Last update:
18-Jul-2000

Arch Hellen Med, 16(4), July-August 1999, 385-388

SHORT COMMUNICATION

A nine-year retrospective study of parotid tumors

P. DOXAS, C. PAPADAKIS, G. VELEGRAKIS, J. BIZAKIS,
A. NIKOLIDAKIS, C. SKOULAKIS, E. HELIDONIS
ENT Department, University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete

During the last 9 years 61 patients were operated on for parotid tumors in the ENT Department of the University Hospital of Crete. Mixed tumors accounted for 25% of the parotid tumors, Warthin's tumor for 11%, other benign tumors for 16%, and all the malignant tumors for 21%. Pain was the most common symptom occurring in 62% of the patients with malignant parotid tumors, whereas pain was a symptom in only 4% of the benign tumors. Superficial parotidectomy was performed in 74%, total parotidectomy in 16% and "shelling out" in 10%. The facial nerve was sacrificed in 5% due to its involvement with the tumor, while a temporary paresis of facial nerve was noted in 18% of the patients. No recurrence was observed during follow-up of the benign tumors. Two malignant tumors metastasized to distant sites two years after surgery.

Key words: Facial nerve, Parotid gland, Parotid gland tumors, Parotidectomy.