An approach to the postoperative parotidectomy patient in primary care

Parotid gland masses form part of a heterogenous subset of head and neck pathology. Surgery for both benign and malignant disease is relatively common in Australia and is associated with a diversity of idiosyncratic postoperative phenomena that might represent a challenge to identify and navigate in the primary care setting.

The aim of this paper is to provide the primary care physician with a useful guide for the assessment, evaluation and initial management of common and not-to-be-missed clinical presentations post parotid surgery, and a framework for appropriate escalation and referral.

Primary care can be a valuable setting for the identification and initial management of common complaints post parotid surgery and providing patient access to escalation and onward referral where necessary. Ambiguous, unresolving or worsening presentations should be referred to the treating (or local) surgeon or department.