[Case of facial nerve palsy accompanied with swelling of the parotid gland following the surgery with left lateral decubitus position].

A 70-year-old woman (142 cm in height, 75 kg in weight, BMI 37) received right total hip arthroplasty in the left lateral decubitus position. The operation time was 9 and a half hours. The morning after the operation, erythema accompanied with bullae was observed on the skin of the left parotid gland and left shoulder, and left facial nerve palsy developed. The palsy was almost paralysis with marked facial asymmetry and severe blepharoptosis. Ultrasonography showed diffuse swelling of the left parotid gland. The serum amylase level was 642 IU . l-1 (normal range : 40-113). Prolonged parotid gland compression during the operation would have caused acute swelling of the parotid gland and facial nerve palsy. The palsy resolved completely after 5 months.