Centripetal Versus Centrifugal Facial Nerve Dissection in Superficial Parotidectomy: Comparison of the Two Methods at a Tertiary Care Center.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the intraoperative and postoperative parameters of two techniques of facial nerve dissection: Centripetal vs Centrifugal.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Academic tertiary referral centre.

METHODS

In our study, cases of superficial parotidectomy were randomly selected from the outpatient departments of ORL & HNS. Of these patients, 30 underwent standard anterograde dissection group (Group A) and 30 underwent retrograde facial nerve dissection (Group B). All the patients were assessed pre-operatively, intra-operatively and post-operatively to compare the various parameters.

RESULTS

The most common complaint in both groups was parotid swelling. The operative time for A was shorter at 2.1 h as compared to 1.9 h min in group B. The resolution of symptoms was nearly comparable in both groups. Facial nerve palsy was slightly more in group B but the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The operative time and post-operative complications were both comparable between AFND and RFND, implying both techniques can be used by surgeons depending on the individual cases.