[Surgery of the parotid gland. Indications. Review of the anatomy].

The surgical division of the parotid gland in three parts or "lobes" in relation to facial nerve is a practical custom. After revising the surgical anatomy, the indications and operative technique of total parotidectomy with preservation of the facial nerve (TPP) are described. The discussion is open for pleomorphic adenomas of the superficial lobe, between some authors in favour of a superficial parotidectomy and others who perform a systematic TPP. Other surgical operations are total parotidectomy (TP) without preservation of the facial nerve, TP associated with a neck dissection, at lastly extensive or partial parotidectomies. Trans-parotid surgery uses the parotid region as an approach to neighbouring structures or regions.