Benign tumors of the parotid gland: a retrospective study of 339 patients

Aim: Among 339 patients operated for benign tumor of the parotid gland: the recurrences and the postoperative complications rates were compared WITH those published in literature. Materials and methods: About 339 patients operated: 274 primarily and 65 for recurrence or residual tumor. Variables: sex, age, surgical techniques, pre- or postoperative radiotherapy, histology, size and localization of the tumors, disease free intervals, recurrences and postoperative complications. Results: 177 men and 162 women. Median age: 55 years and mean follow-up: 10.4 years. About 39 patients had adjuvant radiotherapy (11.5%). After primary surgery, four patients experienced recurrences (1.5%). After salvage surgery, eight patients recurred (12.3%). The recurrence rate was the highest among pleomorphic adenomas. Facial paralysis was more frequent after salvage surgery. Discussion: Recurrence rate 10 years later was lower after primary than after salvage surgery (p = 0.01). There was no relation between adjuvant radiotherapy and recurrence rate probably because the low rate of recurrences. Conclusion: Recurrence rate after primary surgery is lower after superficial or total parotidectomy than after other surgical techniques. Pleomorphic adenomas have the highest rate of recurrences. Age and sex have no significant influence over the rate of recurrences. The most frequent postoperative complications are facial paralysis and Frey's syndrome.