title: Impact of extent of parotid resection on postoperative wound complications: a prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sialocele and salivary fistula are common complications after parotidectomy. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether extent of parotidectomy influences the incidence of these complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective study of 66 consecutive parotidectomies. Cases undergoing skin or bone resection or flap reconstruction were excluded. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on extent of surgery: group 1 (extracapsular dissection or partial superficial parotidectomy); and group 2 (superficial parotidectomy or more extensive resection). The incidence of postoperative sialocele, salivary fistula, and facial weakness was studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven patients (16.7%) developed a sialocele, and 4 (6.1%) developed a salivary fistula. Group 1 had a significantly higher incidence of wound complications (p = .008), but a significantly lower incidence of facial weakness (p = .004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Less extensive parotid resection seems to be associated with a higher incidence of postoperative sialocele and salivary fistula, but is also associated with less postoperative facial nerve dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tuckett
authors.forename: Ronan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Glynn
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sheahan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009078:Mucocele / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010305:Parotid Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012467:Salivary Gland Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: complications; facial nerve; fistula; parotidectomy; sialocele