Extracapsular dissection versus superficial parotidectomy in pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland

We aimed to compare the results of extracapsullary dissection (ED) with superficial parotidectomy (SP) in the surgical treatment of benign parotid tumors.

Forty-one patients who were diagnosed with pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland and underwent surgery between January 1992 and June 2000 were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: the ED group (6 males, 15 females; mean age 47.2 years; range 32 to 57 years) and the SP group (7 males, 13 females; mean age 47.7 years; range 29 to 61 years). ED was performed on 21 patients and SP was performed on 20 patients. All patients were followed-up postoperatively and the mean follow-up time was 194 (range 117 to 264) months.

Although no complications developed in the ED group patients during the follow-up period, there were several cases in the SP group: three cases of salivary fistula, one of Frey's syndrome, three case of temporary facial paresis and 13 of cosmetic deformity. The cosmetic deformities were as minimal depressions in the parotid region. There have been no recurrences in either group. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding cosmetic deformity (p=0.000 and X2=19.27). There was also a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding general complications (p=0.001 and X2Y: 8.32).

Extracapsullary dissection is a safe and reliable surgical procedure compared to superficial parotidectomy with a lower complication rate and a similiar recurrence rate.