Complications of superficial parotidectomy versus extracapsular lumpectomy in the treatment of benign parotid lesions.

A total of 46 patients with benign parotid gland tumours have been operated upon between 1979 and 1989 in the Department of Otolaryngology at Leicester Royal Infirmary. Thirty-one were pleomorphic adenomas, six Warthin's tumours and nine miscellaneous tumours or tumour-like lesions. Extracapsular lumpectomy without facial nerve preparation was used in 31 cases (67%) and superficial parotidectomy in 15 cases (33%). One case of permanent partial facial palsy and one recurrence occurred in patients who underwent superficial parotidectomy. Frey's syndrome occurred in 40% of patients undergoing superficial parotidectomy. No permanent palsy, recurrence or Frey's syndrome occurred after extracapsular lumpectomy. These results suggest that extracapsular lumpectomy may reduce the morbidity rate in carefully selected patients.