title: Patients' perspectives on the short- and long-term outcomes following surgery for benign parotid neoplasms.
abstract: Surgery for benign parotid gland salivary neoplasms is associated with sequelae: scar and divot defect and complications, facial nerve paresis/paralysis and Frey's syndrome. These potential sequelae and complications are discussed with all patients prior to operation. We contacted 212 patients who had undergone surgery for benign parotid disease during 1988-1997, by postal questionnaire. We enquired about their perception and recollection of the information they had received pre-operatively and to document and comment upon what problems they had experienced in the early and late post-operative period. The usable return rate was 75.5 per cent (173/212). Most patients (90 per cent) were satisfied with the information they had received pre-operatively. The complication and/or sequelae rates for facial nerve palsy (temporary 26.3 per cent, permanent 1.9 per cent), Frey's syndrome (12.5 per cent) and sensory deficit about the cheek and ear (30.6 per cent), are comparable to other published studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Shahed M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Quraishi
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bradley
mesh_terms: D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000523:psychology; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome