Parotidectomy for parotid tumours: 19-year experience from The Netherlands

A total of 150 patients were treated for parotid tumours over a period of 19 years. In 94 per cent superficial or total parotidectomy was performed. Histological diagnosis of the resected specimen revealed pleomorphic adenoma in 92 patients (61 per cent), Whartin's tumour in 30 (20 per cent), various benign neoplasms in 11 (7 per cent) and malignant tumour in 17 (11 per cent). After a mean follow-up of 7.7 years, no recurrence of a benign tumour was seen. Malignant tumours recurred in five patients. Permanent partial facial paralysis was seen in 4 per cent of patients after surgery for benign lesions. Frey's syndrome was observed in 43 per cent of patients, and was not prevented by resection of the auriculotemporal nerve.