Frequency & Pattern of complications after Parotid Surgery at Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Parotid surgery is a common surgical practice in otolaryngology. Different types of parotidsurgeries such as superficial parotidectomy, total conservative parotidectomy, total radical parotidectomy orextended radical parotidectomy are performed for both benign and malignant parotid tumour. Surgery of theparotid gland is challenging because of the VII cranial nerve, which enters the gland and branches out insidethe gland. Therefore, facial nerve injury is a significant complication after parotid surgery. Other postoperativecomplications include Frey’s syndrome, wound infection, salivary gland fistula, hemorrhage,hematoma, cosmetic deformity, and numbness around the ear. Aim: To evaluate the frequency and patternof complications after different types of parotid surgery at a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. Methods:This prospective observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Otolaryngology,Dhaka Medical College & Hospital, Dhaka, for six (6) months from 8th April 2019 to 7th October 2019,with 50 patients who underwent different types of parotid surgery for different indications. The patient’sphysical condition, different presentation, course of management, outcome of treatment modalities, andsubsequent follow-up during the hospital stay were recorded and analyzed. Result: The main indication forparotid surgery was pleomorphic adenoma (56%), followed by Warthin Tumors (18.0%), Mucoepidermoidcarcinoma (12%), and Squamous cell carcinoma (6%). In this study, 74% of patients developed somecomplications. Among these, facial nerve paralysis was the most common (44%) complication, followed byhemorrhage or hematoma in 14% of patients, cosmetic deformity in 8.0% of patients, and skin flap necrosisin 6.0% of patients. Conclusion: Parotid surgery, while often necessary for the treatment of various parotidgland disorders, is not without its potential complications. These can include facial nerve injury, Frey’ssyndrome, and salivary fistulae. The procedure has notable risks associated with Hematoma, infection, andscarring. Understanding these complications is crucial for the surgeon and the patient to ensure thoroughpreoperative planning, informed consent, and meticulous postoperative care. By recognizing and addressingthese potential issues promptly, the outcomes of parotid surgery can be significantly improved, enhancingpatient satisfaction and overall health.