[Dysfunction of the facial nerve following total conservative parotidectomy for pleomorphic adenoma]

Two hundred and forty seven previously untreated pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland were operated with a total conservative parotidectomy between 1965 and 1992. The overall incidence for temporary facial nerve paresis and paralysis was 63.1% and 5.2%, respectively. None of the following variables sex, age, tumor size, tumor location, tumor contact with the facial nerve, degeneration of the pleomorphic adenoma, inadvertent tumor spillage, use of Surgical, and postoperative hematoma were statistically related to facial nerve dysfunction. Kaplan-Meier actuarial analysis demonstrated that facial nerve dysfunction recovery was noted until the 18th postoperative month. The use of the linear regression model with Pearson correlation underscores that the recovery time of facial nerve function significantly statistically increased with the patient's age (p = .0017). The overall incidence for permanent facial paresis and paralysis was 3.6% and 0%, respectively. Implications of these findings are discussed together with a review of the medical literature.