Parotidectomy 1 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: A parotidectomy is surgery to remove part or all of your parotid gland. 2 DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS: 3 Medicines: Prescription pain medicine may be given. 4 Follow up with your healthcare provider or surgeon as directed: You may need to return 5 Wound care: Care for your wound as directed. No dental work (including dental cleanings) 4 weeks prior to and 4 weeks following surgery. Your second post-op appointment is generally 3 4 days following your surgery. We are vaccinating all eligible patients. In most cases a tumor growth is not cancer (benign). Terms of Use. After the third post-op appointment our out of town patients are ready to fly back home and get back to their normal lives. |Service If the tumor has surrounded or invaded the facial nerve, that nerve may have to be removed along with the tumor. A parotidectomy is surgery to remove all or part of your parotid gland. Your first post-op appointment will be the day following your surgery. WebSurgery to remove a tumor in the deep lobe or in both the deep and superficial lobes is called a total parotidectomy. 109. You may be asked to smile, close your eyes or make other facial movements that demonstrate your facial nerve is working correctly. There is one on each side of the face. You might notice bruising, swelling and hardness around your incision. You will spend a few hours recovering at the surgery center. If you have a tendency to form hypertrophic or keloid scars, you may want to use it for 6 months to a year. Salivary fistula: saliva leaking through the incision (this is usually temporary), Sialocele: a cavity or cyst containing saliva, Freys syndrome: a rare complication of parotid gland surgery that causes sweating or flushing in an area of the face when eating, especially spicy, salty or sour foods, Seroma: a pocket of serum that forms near the surgical incision. MedTerms medical dictionary is the medical terminology for MedicineNet.com. You may take your usual asthma, heart, blood pressure or seizure medication with a small sip of water in the morning, unless otherwise advised. WebParotidectomy is the removal of the parotid gland, located below the ear. Parotidectomy is most commonly done for overgrowths or tumors in the parotid gland. Chemotherapy is sometimes used on its own for advanced cancer, such as cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Tests and procedures used to diagnose a parotid tumor may include: Collecting a sample of tissue for testing. Use it as a reference guide after your procedure so that you can get back onto your feet quickly! All Rights ReservedDesign & Development by Studio III. You may leave the hospital with stitches in the cut (incision) the doctor made. WebThe recovery from parotid surgery takes time and requires patience. This content does not have an English version. They make saliva, which enters the mouth through a tube (duct) near the back teeth. Once Dr. Larian feels you have healed well enough hell let you know that is appropriate to take a shower. Olsen KD, et al. Parotidectomy requires the expertise of a skilled surgeon who can identify and spare your facial nerve, which runs through your parotid gland. For INSTANT ACCESS to this exclusive content, enter your name and email below: Aspirin Containing Compounds & Medications, Click here to download this guideline as a PDF >>, Web Design & Internet Marketing by Studio III, Pre-op testing must be completed. The approach is based on the characteristics of the tumor whether it is benign or malignant. In these situations, chemotherapy might be done at the same time as radiation therapy. Your surgeon and team remove the parotid tumor along with some normal tissue surrounding the mass so it can be removed completely. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. It involves rewiring nerves from both the tongue and biting muscle to the facial muscles, in combination with nerve grafts. For those with a drain it is the day after the drain has been removed. While most patients recover completely within 3-4 months, others may take as long as one year. You can apply an antibiotic cream on the surgical site to help your body heal. |News The risk of facial nerve weakness is directly related to the size, extent, and type of parotid gland tumor. This information helps your health care team understand your prognosis and which treatments are best for you. You may want to take a fiber supplement every day. BC+ should dry right away and within a few minutes form a slick surface over your scar. Removing the drain is pretty painless as the tube is very small. Find out with our slideshow of the most common mouth problems. Tylenol should not be combined with prescription pain medications. Signs include fluid draining from the ear, pain, numbness, weakness, trouble swallowing, and a lump. You have loose stitches, or your incision comes open. Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness. Theyre located in your cheeks, in front of and below your ears. You have hundreds of salivary glands in and around your mouth that create saliva, which helps to keep your mouth moist and aids in swallowing, speaking and eating. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Nerve monitoring during surgery can help identify the nerve so it is protected. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Zip code: 510375 Bring a form of ID, insurance card if necessary, and manner in which to pay for surgery center, if applicable. You will need to have the following tests: Chem 7, CBC, PT, PTT, EKG, Chest x-ray (age 45 and above, accepted up to 6 months prior to surgery). Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine. Theyll also ensure you understand whats involved during a parotidectomy so you can prepare for your recovery. Surgery to remove a tumor in the deep lobe or in both the deep and superficial lobes is called a total parotidectomy. The post-op medications may alter your judgment. 2006-2023 Healthwise, Incorporated. The objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and selection profile of outpatient superficial parotidectomy compared to inpatient parotidectomy. YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE SURGERY CENTER WITHOUT YOUR TRAVEL COMPANION. Do you have a skill that would help us accomplish our mission? "ratingValue": "4.6", "addressRegion": "CA", In general, patients who just have a superficial parotidectomy have minimal side effects. Parotidectomy requires the expertise of a Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern time), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern time). Drain Instructions Fill and pick up all post-op prescriptions. In order to remove a parotid gland tumor, your surgeon will first need to locate and work around the facial nerve. Ask your provider what changes you should expect and how you can plan for them before getting a parotidectomy. Since every patient heals differently, we always recommend our out of town patients purchase an open-ended plane ticket to be safe. WebSome patients do not have any facial weakness at all after surgery, and some patients may have temporary weakness of the facial muscles because the facial nerves will be Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. A tumor of the parotid salivary gland arises from an overgrowth of cells. ; Follow your providers guidance about which medications and supplements you can safely take. Parotid gland cancers often spread to the lymph nodes in the neck first. WebA parotidectomy is a major surgery that lasts from three to four hours on average. Ask your healthcare provider how your tumor and surgery will impact your recovery timeline. The healing process for patients will vary and will depend on the health condition of the patient prior to surgery, and the extent of their surgery and treatment. This removal can often be done at home with instructions provided by a doctor, though many healthcare professionals take this opportunity to check the surgical site for any infections that may have developed. It can be frustrating for patients because they may look normal on the outside, which then causes people to believe that they are fully healed, when that is not the case. Surgeons often define recovery as the time frame in which a patient is no longer at risk for infection, which is generally the 7 to 10 day time frame. Yes. Avoid all products that may interfere with blood clotting. You always have access to your doctor and can call or text him directly thereafter. Imaging allows your surgeon to better visualize the extent of the tumor. Pain medications may be used to help you deal with pain after the anesthesia wears off. It allows them to find the facial nerve during the surgery. Eisele says that tumor surgery on one parotid gland is not likely to affect a persons saliva level since there are so many other salivary glands that can compensate. Usually, these changes are temporary. Instead, they may take a sample of tissue for testing during surgery. The length of time that it takes will vary for each patient depending on how much the nerves had to be moved, stretched, or manipulated during surgery. We have put together a list of the TOP 6 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PAROTID SURGERY to help you through your parotid surgery journey. The surgical dressing wrap will be removed by your doctor at your first post-op appointment. Medscape. Kaiser Permanente is not responsible for the content or policies of external websites. Tumors and masses can grow in the parotid glands, and may require treatment. Good, nutritious food on the first 2-3 days are very important in the healing process and will help you feel stronger sooner. WebRight parotid mass. Sometimes the results say a tumor isn't cancerous when it is. It is important to seek out an experienced head and neck surgeon to perform this procedure. The facial nerve controls your ability to close your eyes, raise your eyebrows, and smile. Tumors can form in your parotid glands. Rarely, the facial nerve must be cut in order to get all of the tumor. Sores, painful gums, bad breath -- what's going on in your mouth? Dongpeng Debao Commercial Center. In fact, almost every patient tells us they cannot believe how easy the overall recovery process was for them. MRIof the head and neck is the preferred method, but in some cases aCT scanor other imaging studies are used. Purchase: hydrogen peroxide, Q-tips and baby shampoo from a local pharmacy. Pain and swelling at the surgery site (lasting about three weeks). Sometimes the tumors are cancers. A Velcro wrap will be provided which should then be wrapped around the head tightly to help reduce swelling. Most people have to make adjustments to their daily routines after surgery. Those that are deep in the parapharyngeal space can require a special approach.. NO aspirin or aspirin based products (see attached list). The most common long-term complication of parotidectomy is redness and sweating in the cheek, known as Frey's syndrome. Sharing your story can change someone's life, and you can be the person who helped a fellow parotid patient through difficult times.Inspire the parotid community. In some cases, problems with facial movement are permanent. The parotid glands are the two largest salivary glands in the body. Our doctors define difficult medical language in easy-to-understand explanations of over 19,000 medical terms. World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Will I have a scar? This can cause recurrent gland swelling and infection. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. In addition, they use the most-advanced facial nerve monitoring technology. The surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis, unless a neck dissection or reconstructive procedure is performed at the same time. This includes over the counter, non-prescription drugs. Numbness in your ear or near your incision site (usually improving within three to four months). Accessed Dec. 2, 2022. Radiation therapy is used to treat parotid gland cancers. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible. Once you are able to eat or drink comfortably you will then be discharged. This surgery, which removes the parotid gland, helps people with nerve issues, tumors, and other gland problems. In majority of the cases the incision is closed using dissolvable sutures under the surface that do not need to be removed. Parotid Patient Project is dedicated to providing patients with information to help them make informed decisions about their medical care.Ask parotid questions. JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. (2018, October 8.) The growth may cause you to have pain and swelling in your face. The major salivary glands are the submandibular (below the jaw), the sublingual (under the tongue) and the parotid glands, which are located by the angle of your jaw in front of the ear. Sometimes, to reach the parotid tumor, the surgery team must manipulate this nerve, Eisele explains. When you wake up from surgery, you will have a head dressing and a plastic drainage tube. Finally, youll receive instructions about preparing for your parotidectomy, including what medicines you should take or stop taking, when you should stop eating or drinking before surgery, etc. Your doctor will take this out a few days after your surgery. Even if your healthcare provider removes an entire parotid gland, youll still have your other parotid gland to secrete saliva. In very unusual circumstances, this type of tumor can become cancerous, Eisele says. How likely is it that the facial nerve will be hurt? Both types typically need removed. A parotidectomy is surgery to remove part or all of your parotid gland. Parotidectomy is surgery to remove all or part of a major salivary gland in your cheek called your parotid gland. Light exercises and walking are permitted after 2 weeks of surgery for most patients. The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. It is important that patients follow all of the post-operative instructions that they receive from their surgeon, and that they do not expect to recover too quickly. You may have numbness or tingling around your ear. Youll have surgery in a hospital or a surgery center. Salivary gland cancer is cancer that affects the parotid glands, sublingual glands, or the submandibular glands. This record should be brought to your first post-op appointment. Some patients do not have any facial weakness at all after surgery, and some patients may have temporary weakness of the facial muscles because the facial nerves will be traumatized during surgery, which could result in weakness to the corner of the mouth, eyebrow, or eyelid. Preserving the facial nerve is an important priority when removing a parotid gland tumor. Our surgeons have extensive experience in using precise surgical techniques that help preserve the facial nerve. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. If you're facing surgery for a parotid tumor, meet with your surgeon before your operation to ask questions. The swelling in the area of surgery will increase the first several days. In some cases, the facial nerve may be temporarily or, very rarely, permanently weakened due to removal of a parotid gland tumor. If you have questions relating to your surgery outside of our regular office hours, please call us directly at (310) 461-0300. Ask your provider about how much recovery time you should allow yourself. "@type": "PostalAddress", After the surgery is completed, the surgeon will check for the functioning of the facial nerve. For this reason, some doctors don't do a biopsy before surgery. You might consider asking: Radiation therapy uses powerful energy beams to kill cancer cells. With cancer, where you get treated first matters. Depending on the extent of your surgery, you may also have drainage tubes in place to assist in the initial healing of your wound. window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; Sometimes the facial nerve gets stretched during surgery. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Terms of Use. Starting two weeks after surgery, firm massaging to the scar will help promote healing. This can cause loss of movement in the face muscles. Your facial nerve controls the muscles that control the movement of your face. SLEEP ON YOUR BACK ONLY. What is the recovery time like? Typically patients are back to normal and feeling well after 4-5 days. Accessed Dec. 2, 2022. Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin, Polysporin, Bacitarcin) purchased over the counter, should be put on the incision twice a day for the first 10 days, followed by vitamin E ointment or bioCorneum for the next 2 months. Being able to detect where cancer cells have spread allows our surgeons to remove fewer nodes. Most patients have significant trepidation about potential complications, such This record should be brought to your appointments until the drain is removed. Other symptoms include problems swallowing or a loss of facial movement. Swelling over the face and neck resolves in 4-5 days by applying an ice pack to the surgical wound. WebParotidectomy: Before Your Surgery What is a parotidectomy? It will be identified, and care will be taken to not damage the nerve. Navigation Menu - Opens a Simulated Dialog. Our highly-specialized educational programs shape leaders to be at the forefront of cancer care and research. Treatment depends upon the stage of the cancer and usually involves surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or radiosensitizers. Policy. MICROSCOPIC FINDINGS: Salivary gland with mixed tumor (pleomorphic adenoma). "postalCode": "90212", A parotidectomy is a surgical procedure used to remove a parotid gland tumor. gtag('config', 'AW-1065936331/6r6hCMis0V4Qy8uj_AM', { Prior to surgery, you can dye your hair. Contact prescribing doctor for alternative medication if necessary and for the management of medications during your surgical procedure and recovery. No heavy exercise or yoga for 3 weeks following surgery. Most tumors that grow in the parotid glands are benign, which means they aren't cancer. Depending on your surgery, you may have to get used to feeling less sensation in your face. MedTerms online medical dictionary provides quick access to hard-to-spell and often misspelled medical definitions through an extensive alphabetical listing. "@context": "http://schema.org", "reviewCount": "255" Last updated on Dec 2, 2022. Parotidectomy (pronounced puh-rawt-ih-DEK-tuh-mee) is surgery to remove all or part of your parotid gland. Your parotid glands are major salivary glands. Theyre located in your cheeks, in front of and below your ears. Tumors can form in your parotid glands. Head and neck cancers. Once the imaging studies and biopsy are done, your surgeon will review your case, confer with colleagues and develop a personalized Crushed ice in rubber gloves, cold compresses or frozen peas should be used for 72 hours on an hourly basis when awake. Leave valuables at home or with family members. Your surgeon will also remove a rim of healthy tissue around the tumor if it is possible to do so without causing damage to the facial nerve. There is one parotid gland on each side of the face. If a drain is used then it most likely be removed. It is less common for a cancer arising in a location below the collarbone to spread to the gland.. The period of recovery from parotidectomy varies with each patient. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Sometimes patients notice a fullness or swelling of the cheek or an asymmetry in the mouth. "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/larianmd", Where will you cut into the skin to reach the parotid gland? These doctors are called ENT specialists or otolaryngologists. Other conditions for which doctors can resort to parotidectomy include: The parotid gland consists of two lobes: the superficial lobe and the deep lobe. Accordingly, parotidectomy is of two types: The incision for both types of parotidectomy begins at the front of the ear and follows the line down to the neck and under and along the jawline. This is usually when the sutures from the surgery are removed. The most common type, pleomorphic adenoma, is slow-growing and has a low chance of becoming malignant. You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery. If you have already had these tests done at one medical institution and choose another for surgery, your surgeon may request that his or her colleagues in radiology and pathology review your imaging studies and biopsy slides so they can double-check the interpretation of these tests. Your third, and usually final, in person appointment is generally 5 days following your surgery. When complications do occur, they may include: Other risks that apply to most surgeries, including parotidectomy, include: Scarring following a parotidectomy is usually minimal. If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed. Dr. Larian is able to access the parotid gland using a very small incision with the minimally invasive parotid surgery technique. The two lobes are separated by the facial nerve. Your doctor will tell you if you need to come back to have these removed. You may not be able to move parts of your face. In this situation, experts in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery will perform anerve transfer or other facial reanimation procedure. WebSurgery to remove a tumor in the deep lobe or in both the deep and superficial lobes is called a total parotidectomy. Patients should also clear any queries, if they have any, before giving their consent for the surgery. Parotidectomy. Avoid strenuous physical activity and lifting heavy objects for 3 weeks after surgery or until your doctor says it is okay. Here are some soft food suggestions: mashed potatoes, warm soups, cooked/boiled vegetables, canned fruit, oatmeal, cream of wheat, baby food, yogurt, bananas, apple sauce, JELLO, pudding, fruit smoothies. Register. Frozen section pathology for decision making in parotid surgery. Your facial nerves and muscles may be damaged. This approach has helped reawaken muscular function and further improved the ability of people to smile and close their eyes. Patients should be familiar with the difference between normal side effects, and side effects that may require medical attention. Your provider will pull back the skin flap to expose your parotid gland. WebMicro-Parotidectomy. Loss of facial nerve function related to the treatment of a parotid gland tumor can result in partial or total paralysis on one side of the face. You may have a drain near your incision. If you did not get instructions, follow this general advice: After the first 24 to 48 hours, wash around the incision with clean water 2 times a day. You may need a parotidectomy to remove a growth. The facial nerve is typically identified and protected during a parotidectomy. Your doctor may prescribe calcium to prevent problems after surgery from low calcium. ], Most parotid tumors are benign (not cancerous). We also offer an innovative method for facial reanimation called the dual-babysitter technique. "aggregateRating": { https://healthresearchfunding.org/parotidectomy-recovery-time Details. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Parotidectomy is a major surgical procedure to remove the parotid gland (shaded blue in the image) which is one of 2 major salivary glands found in the human body. Memorial Sloan Kettering was founded in 1884, and today is a world leader in patient care, research, and educational programs. Our surgeons have extensive experience in performing these procedures and in preserving normal structures in the neck to leave minimal effects of surgery. WebYour Recovery Parotidectomy (say "puh-rawt-ih-DEK-tuh-mee") is the removal of the parotid glands, located below the ears. Most people can have the drainage tubes removed after the first day of their parotidectomy recovery time. It is important that patients set realistic expectations for their recoveryso they do not become frustrated when the recovery process takes longer than they anticipated. Results from a needle biopsy aren't always correct. Your wound feels warm to the touch, swollen and painful. The most common type of biopsy used for parotid masses is afine needle aspiration biopsy. Follow your providers guidance about quitting smoking. They often don't cause pain. One drop is enough to cover a 3-inch scar. If your doctor told you how to care for your incision, follow your doctor's instructions. A healthcare provider will monitor your vital signs, like your blood pressure, heart rate and breathing, to ensure youre OK. Youll receive medicine for pain. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Background Superficial parotidectomy has a potential to be performed as an outpatient procedure. If you have a drain, follow your doctor's instructions to care for it. 6. The main aim of the parotid surgery is to remove the tumor mass either through superficial parotidectomy or total parotidectomy with the preservation of the facial nerve since most of the complications of parotidectomy are associated with the injury of the facial nerve, which may either be temporary or permanent. Still, the best way to prepare is to ensure you get answers to all of your questions beforehand. This is a reliable way to help your head and neck surgeon determine characteristics of the tumor. MSKs parotid gland surgeons, including Ian Ganly, have extensive experience in using precise techniques that help preserve the facial nerve. David Eisele, M.D., head and neck surgeon and Andelot Professor of Laryngology and Otology and director of the Johns Hopkins Department of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery, explains how tumors and masses in the parotid gland arise, how they are treated and what patients can expect.