title: Parotidectomy: the timing of post-operative complications.
abstract: We evaluated the timing of complications following parotidectomy. We performed a 119-patient retrospective case series analysis over a 12-year period (1994-2006) and investigated timing of post-operative complications. 38% of temporary facial nerve palsies resolved within 1 month, 78% within 3 months and all recorded resolved within 7 months. Tumour recurrence, ranged from 5 months to 9 years post-surgery with a median of 5 years. Salivary fistula formation ranged from 3 to 45 days post-surgery with a median of 11.5 days. The development of Frey's ranged from 20 days to 22 months, median 11 months. This information can better inform clinicians and those patients undergoing parotidectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Warwick Hospital, Warwick, UK. scott.henney@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Scott E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Henney
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: D  E
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010305:Parotid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012467:Salivary Gland Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult