Superficial parotidectomy: antegrade compared with modified retrograde dissections of the facial nerve

We compared two techniques of superficial parotidectomy: conventional antegrade dissection of the facial nerve, and retrograde dissection. A total of 89 parotidectomies were included and the results presented of a retrospective case study during a six-year period. Superficial parotidectomy involves identification of the facial nerve. We present 49 parotidectomies in 45 patients using the conventional technique of antegrade dissection of the nerve, and 40 parotidectomies in 39 patients using retrograde dissection of the buccal branch of the facial nerve from 4cm in front of the alatragal line to the main trunk of the nerve. The incidence of postoperative complications (facial nerve palsy, Frey syndrome, haematoma, and wound infection) were compared. The Facial nerve function was assessed by patient complaints and clinical examination. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the groups. We describe an alternative technique for identifying the main trunk of the facial nerve.