Suleiman A M.
Superficial Parotidectomy: the parotid duct approach. A personal experience.
J Pak Dent Assoc Jan ;12(3):166-9.

OBJECTIVE: In patients with huge parotid tumours, identification of the facial nerve trunk was found to be time-consuming and associated with spillage of tumour tissue. Identification of the buccal branch through identification of the parotid duct was assumed to be a more easier and safer alternative approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients had surgical removal of parotid gland tumour. In all these patients dissection of the facial nerve was contemplated retrogradely. This was achieved by identifying the parotid duct first, followed by the buccal branch neighbouring it. RESULTS: Transient facial palsy was encountered in 12 patients. Three patients had permanent facial palsy: this was due to sacrifice of the facial nerve in two, while in the third case, the palsy was partial due to inadvertent severance of the upper zygomatic branch. CONCLUSION: The parotid duct approach was found to be convenient and safe, particularly when performing parotidectomy in patients with large parotid tumours.

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