A Case of Parotid Gland Salivary Fistula Treated by Tympanic Neurectomy / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

The parotid gland salivary fistula is one of the complications following parotidectomy and can result in patient discomfort and wound infection. Various methods have been used for resolution of salivary gland fistula including non surgical and surgical management. Non-surgical managements such as pressure dressing, radiation therapy and pharmacotherapy are simple and safe but mostly require a relatively long period for healing. Surgical managements are recommended if conservative therapy and pharmacological intervention fail. Surgical options for parotid gland salivary fistula include total parotidectomy, salivary duct ligation, delayed primary repair of duct, and tympanic neurectomy. However, there is no uniform consensus regarding the surgical option of choice for parotid gland salivary fistula. Recently, we experienced a patient with a persistent parotid gland salivary fistula after parotidectomy, which was successfully treated by tympanic neurectomy. We found that the effect of tympanic neurectomy was not strong enough to be recommended as a method of choice for the clinical inactivation of persistent parotid gland salivary fistula. Therefore, we report this case for the first time in our country with the review of literatures.