Table of Contents
- 1 What happens if parotid gland is removed?
- 2 Which is one risk of parotid gland surgery?
- 3 Is parotid gland surgery serious?
- 4 Can a parotid gland grow back?
- 5 How painful is a Parotidectomy?
- 6 How is the parotid gland removed?
- 7 How long is recovery from parotid surgery?
- 8 What type of tumors can develop in the parotid gland?
- 9 What are the side effects of salivary glands?
- 10 Where is your parotid gland located?
What happens if parotid gland is removed?
Permanent damage is possible but usually occurs in only the most difficult cases. Depending on the branch of the nerve that is damaged you may experience: • Weakness of the lower lip, leading to a slightly crooked smile. Weakness of the eyelids, making it difficult to keep the eye closed.
Which is one risk of parotid gland surgery?
All surgery has some risks, including complications from anesthesia, bleeding, blood clots, and infections. These risks are generally low but are higher with more complicated operations. For any salivary gland cancer surgery, the surgeon may need to cut through your skin or cut inside your mouth.
Is a parotidectomy necessary?
For many people with parotid gland tumors, parotidectomy is necessary. Parotidectomy is the surgery to remove the parotid gland. Ahead and neck surgeon performs this surgery. The period of recovery from parotidectomy varies with each patient.
Is parotid gland surgery serious?
In some cases, the facial nerve may be temporarily or, very rarely, permanently weakened due to removal of a parotid gland tumor. The risk of facial nerve weakness is directly related to the size, extent, and type of parotid gland tumor.
Can a parotid gland grow back?
Recurrent parotid tumors unfortunately regrow after initial treatment, requiring further surgery. Repeat surgery increases both the chances of facial paralysis and facial cosmetic deformities.
Is parotidectomy a major surgery?
A parotidectomy is the surgical excision (removal) of the parotid gland, the major and largest of the salivary glands. The procedure is most typically performed due to neoplasms (tumors), which are growths of rapidly and abnormally dividing cells….
| Parotidectomy | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | endocrinology |
How painful is a Parotidectomy?
All operations involve some pain and discomfort. Our goal is to minimize this discomfort. Although you should be able to eat and drink normally, the main complaint is pain with swallowing. Most patients take Tylenol® to keep them comfortable at home, although patients are given Vicodin.
How is the parotid gland removed?
The parotid gland is removed under general anaesthesia, ie you are put to sleep completely. The operation involves making a cut immediately in front of the ear. This cut is extended either downwards into the neck or behind the ear. Once the gland has been removed the incision is held together again with stitches.
Who does parotid gland surgery?
For many people with parotid gland tumors, surgery performed by a head and neck surgeon is the main treatment. This operation is called a parotidectomy. The parotid gland consists of two lobes: the superficial lobe and the deep lobe.
How long is recovery from parotid surgery?
Your family and friends mean well, but we can provide better information. Incisions take approximately 6 weeks to heal, however they continue to remodel for one to two years after surgery. Initially during the first 6 weeks scar creams should be used to hasten the initial healing.
What type of tumors can develop in the parotid gland?
Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma These are the most common salivary gland cancer type.
Where does parotid cancer spread?
Parotid tumors are abnormal growths of tissue in the parotid gland, which is the largest of the three pairs of salivary glands. Parotid tumors that spread to the lymph nodes may require the lymph nodes to be removed. A pathologist looks at the aspiration sample from a parotid tumor under a microscope to determine if there is cancer present.
What are the side effects of salivary glands?
They will explain to you in detail what to expect and when side effects are likely to appear. The most common side effects of radiation to the salivary glands include changes in your skin that look like a sunburn, hoarseness, changes in taste, dryness, weakening of the teeth, and pain, sores, or redness in the mouth.
Where is your parotid gland located?
The parotid gland is a salivary gland, responsible for making saliva. There are two parotid glands, one on each side of the face. They are located in front of the ears and extend to the lower borders of the jawbones. The glands secrete thin saliva which travels into the mouth to aid in chewing and digesting food.