title: The surgical management of parotid gland tumours.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The parotid tissue can give rise to a large variety of benign and malignant neoplasms. The objective of this study was to describe the management and outcome of parotid gland tumours over a 15-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of consecutive patients treated by parotid gland excision from January 1995 to December 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. Data recorded were age, gender, history, physical findings, surgical procedure, fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), final pathological diagnosis and complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The vast majority of patients (306) had benign neoplasms, and 14 patients had malignant neoplasms. Overall, pleomorphic adenoma contributed to 76% of the lesions, and Warthin's tumour to 17%. The sensitivity and specificity of FNAB was 79% and 100%, respectively. There were 15 cases of marginal mandibular transitory paresis and 12 cases of seroma. Marginal mandibular definitive paralysis was observed in three cases with malignant tumour.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Standardised parotidectomy is a safe operation, with a low complication rate.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, Fundação Lusíada UNILUS; Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Ana Costa, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: M A F
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital das Clinicas, São Paulo School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dedivitis
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital das Clinicas, São Paulo School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Cernea
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital das Clinicas, São Paulo School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Brandão