Patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes following parotidectomy for benign parotid disease

To evaluate quality-of-life (QoL) in patients undergoing extracapsular dissection or partial superficial parotidectomy for benign parotid disease.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 155 patients who underwent limited parotidectomy, via an extracapsular dissection or partial superficial parotidectomy approach, between July 2015 and June 2020. Patients with malignancy and revision surgery where the primary operation was performed at another institution were excluded. QoL assessment was prospectively evaluated via telephone interviews. General QoL, health-related QoL and patient satisfaction were assessed with validated patient-reported outcome instruments.

62 patients which fit the inclusion criteria were included for postoperative evaluation. General QoL assessment for overall health and QoL demonstrated minimal impacts after parotid surgery. Sensory impairment was the most common patient-reported symptom. In particular, numbness was the most common and severe adverse effect and correlated with greater auricular nerve sacrifice (p = 0.038). Aesthetic outcomes and patient satisfaction were high amongst the patient group. Tingling, itching, discomfort and scar tenderness correlated negatively with overall health but not overall QoL. Post operative complications were not associated with reduced overall health, overall QoL or patient satisfaction.

Extracapsular dissection and partial superficial parotidectomy for benign parotid disease can result in high patient satisfaction, aesthetic outcomes and QoL. Evaluation of outcomes should incorporate assessment tools with a broader perspective on patient satisfaction including cosmetic results.