Clinical manifestations, treatment outcome and post-operative complications of parotid gland tumours - an experience of 20 cases

Objective: To find out clinical manifestations, treatment outcomes and post-operative complications of parotid gland tumours. Methods: The prospective quasi-experimental multi-centric study was conducted at three hospitals of Karachi - National Medical Centre, South City Hospital and Liaquat National Hospital, from July 2007 to July 2011, and comprised 20 patients who underwent surgery for tumour of the parotid gland. According to history, clinical examination and fine needle aspiration cytology findings, all cases appeared to be benign, so superficial parotidectomy was done in all the cases. Results: There were 11 (55%) male and 9 (45%) female patients with a mean age of 53.2+-2.8 years. All patients presented with progressively increasing lump in the parotid region with mean time duration of 2.2+-2.8 years. Post-operative histopathological findings showed presence of pleomorphic adenoma in 18 (90%) cases and Warthin's tumour in 2 (10%). Post-operative complications included sensory deficit in 4 (20%) cases, temporary facial nerve paresis in 3 (15%), sialocoele in 2 (10%), post-operative bleeding and wound infection in 1 (5%) case each. No recurrence was noticed during follow-up which ranged between 6 months and 4 years. Conclusion: Surgery of the superficial parotid gland if performed carefully causes minimal complications. (author)