Parotid salivary gland and the facial nerve

ABSTRACT

Parotid Glands are the major salivary glands which are located on the side of the face and secrete their saliva into the oral cavity. Any pathological lesion of the salivary glands may have an effect directly or indirectly on the facial nerve either during the pathological events or as a complication of surgery. This manuscript is a retrospective analysis of 41 patients treated as both out patients and in patients in one hospital in Manchester during the 5 years between 1988-1992. There was a range of complaints ranging from inflammatory lesions to neoplasma. The male to female ratio was 0.95 1. From the total sample 31.71% [n=13 patients] had chronic Sialadenitis; 21.95% [n=9 patients] had a benign mixed tumour [Pleomorphic Adenoma] 29 patients of 41 patients underwent various types of parotid surgery from minor procedures to radical resection. Post operative complications were very low. The post operative follow up ranged from six months to three years