Extracapsular dissection in the parapharyngeal space: benefits and potential pitfalls

The aim of this study was to investigate the benefits and potential pitfalls of transcervical extracapsular dissection in the treatment of parotid gland tumours in the parapharyngeal space. We retrospectively evaluated the records of all patients with parapharyngeal parotid gland lesions treated between 2000 and 2015 by transcervical extracapsular dissection. Patients having revision operations and patients whose records were not complete were excluded, leaving 49 patients in the study. We found acceptable oncological and functional outcomes throughout. Special attention should be paid in cases with multilobular growth of the tumour on magnetic resonance imaging, satellite tumours of pleomorphic adenomas, tumours in broad contact with the inner surface of the deep lobe, and lesions suspected of malignancy. Extracapsular dissection in the parapharyngeal region is associated with acceptable oncological and functional outcomes. These outcomes can be expected only after a thorough assessment of patient's history and preoperative imaging.