Parotidectomy

[Kaboo_]

Has anyone got person experience of a parotidectomy? I'm due to have the surgery in the next month or two and am feeling a bit nervous, particularly about what they might find and the after effects with facial nerves being effected. I don't know anyone who's even heard of it, never mind experience of it.

[Sqad]

I have personal experience of it, not from a patient's point of view but of someone who has performed the procedure many times.
The commonest reason for the operation is for what is know as a "mixed parotid tumour " or another name is a "salivary adenoma"...benign tumours not at all associated with cancer. There are many other conditions that require the operation, but relatively uncommon and that includes cancer.
The danger point in the operation is damage to the facial nerve which runs through the parotid gland and makes the muscles of facial expression work. If damaged a part of the face may be paralysed BUT....the surgeon knows this and identifies the nerve first and then works around it.
A straight forward operation for a competent surgeon.

[Kaboo_]

Ah thanks for the quick reply Sqad - I was hoping you still frequented the site. My surgeon certainly helped eased my nerves on my last visit and spent a good 15/20 mins explaining my MRI scan and I came away feeling reassured he was performing it. In your experience are the nerve issues and scarring very noticeable to other people?

[Sqad]

The main trunk which supplies all the facial muscles is very rarely if ever divided accidentally, it is occasionally (bruised)giving an "odd looking face for a short time, day or so, but this soon recovers.
Small branches may be damage, which may give partial paralysis of either lip or eye, but this disappears completely in the majority of cases within a week or so. Most surgeons now use an electrode to stimulate a piece of tissue before they cut it to be sure that it doesn't contain nerve tissue.
Most parotidectomies leave no sign of facial paralysis which is permanent.
Don't worry.