The treatment of pleomorphic adenomas by formal parotidectomy

We reviewed 100 patients who underwent formal parotidectomy. Seventy-two were new patients in whom a parotid lump proved to be a pleomorphic adenoma. Twenty-eight were patients in whom a tumour had recurred after treatment for pleomorphic adenoma by local excision (with or without irradiation) elsewhere. After a follow-up of 1--15 years (median 4 years), there were no recurrences in the primary group but 5 recurrences among the secondary cases. Permanent facial nerve damage was not seen in the primary group, but 11 patients undergoing secondary parotidectomy were left with some permanent facial weakness. Malignant change occurred in 4 patients in the secondary group.