Pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland: superficial parotidectomy or limited excision?

In this retrospective study of parotid tumours, 57 patients with pleomorphic adenomas were treated with superficial parotidectomy and 33 patients with limited excision. The follow-up period has been 4-14 years. When the operation was superficial parotidectomy, recurrences occurred in 8.7 per cent compared to 6 per cent in cases of limited excision. Side-effects such as permanent weakness of the facial nerve or post-operative gustatory sweating were also more common when superficial parotidectomy was performed. The post-operative results observed suggest that limited excision under magnification is more favourable than superficial parotidectomy in the treatment of pleomorphic adenomas.