[Benign tumors of the parotid gland]

We review patients operated of parotidectomy in our ENT department of Dr. Peset Hospital from Valencia during the period 1975-2001. We shelted an amount of 145 cases. The pathologic distribution between benign and malign tumors was as following: 119 benign tumors (83%) and 26 malign tumors (17%). Here we study benign parotid tumors, which represent 83% of total parotid tumors. We performed suprafacial parotidectomies in 72% and total parotidectomy in 19% of cases. Nodulectomy was realized in 9% of patients in those tumors that arise in the lower part of the parotid gland and usualy they were Warthin tumors. The main complications of surgery were facial nerve dysfunction and Frey syndrome. We didn't have any case of permanent facial nerve dysfunction but transitory facial nerve disfunction occurred in 26% of patients. Frey syndrome appeared in 10% of patients operated of parotidectomy. Benign mixed tumor was the only one benign tumor in recurring and the frequency was 5% of patients.