Post Parotidectomy Quality of Life in Patients with Benign Parotid Neoplasm: A Prospective Study

Parotid tumours are not uncommon. The management is surgical for benign and malignant parotid neoplasm. Due to the location of parotid gland and its intricate relationship with facial nerve, cosmetic and functional outcomes after parotid surgery are extremely important. Objectives of the study were to analyse facial nerve functions with emphasis on the quality of life of patients undergoing surgery for parotid neoplasm. A prospective study was conducted on patients presented with parotid neoplasm and undergone parotid surgery. Patient with malignant neoplasm were excluded. 30 patients with benign parotid neoplasm in final histopathology were included in the study. Post operative assessment of facial nerve was done using postparotidectomy facial nerve grading system. Symptom-specific QOL was assessed with the parotidectomy outcome inventory-8. Aesthetic outcome was evaluated with an ordinal scale. Posterior belly of digastric muscle and tragal pointer were the commonest landmark used for facial nerve identification. Temporary facial nerve dysfunction was present in six (20%) patients with marginal mandibular branch most commonly involved. 96% of the female patients and 91% of the male patients rated the cosmetic result as good or very good. A statistically significant difference is noted between superficial parotidectomy and total Parotidectomy for cosmetic outcome and sensory impairment. We noted that changed appearance due to resection of the parotid gland and scar and sensory impairment in the area affect the quality of life of patients and such affect are more after total conservative parotidectomy.