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Stratifying the risk of facial nerve palsy after benign parotid surgery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 January 2014

N Sethi ,
P H Tay ,
A Scally  and
S Sood
N Sethi*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Bradford Teaching Hospitals and School of Health Research, University of Bradford, UK
P H Tay
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Bradford Teaching Hospitals and School of Health Research, University of Bradford, UK
A Scally
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Bradford Teaching Hospitals and School of Health Research, University of Bradford, UK
S Sood
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Bradford Teaching Hospitals and School of Health Research, University of Bradford, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Neeraj Sethi, 3 Victoria St, Leeds LS7 4PA, UK Fax: +44 (0)113 269 8885 E-mail: neerajsethi@doctors.org.uk
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Abstract

Introduction:

Post-operative facial palsy is the most important potential complication of parotid surgery for benign lesions. The published prevalence of facial weakness is up to 57 per cent for temporary weakness and up to 7 per cent for permanent weakness. We aimed to identify potential risk factors for post-operative facial palsy.

Materials and methods:

One hundred and fifty patients who had undergone parotid surgery for benign disease were retrospectively reviewed. Tumour factors (size, location and histopathology), patient factors (age and sex) and operative factors (operation, surgeon grade, surgeon specialty and use of intra-operative facial nerve monitoring) were all analysed for significant associations with post-operative facial palsy.

Results and analysis:

The overall incidence of facial palsy was 26.7 per cent for temporary weakness and 2.6 per cent for permanent weakness. The associations between facial palsy and all the above factors were analysed using Pearson's chi-square test and found to be non-significant.

Conclusion:

These outcomes compare favourably with the literature. No significant risk factors were identified, suggesting that atraumatic, meticulous surgical technique is still the most important factor affecting post-operative facial palsy.

Keywords

Parotid DiseasesParotid GlandParotid NeoplasmsFacial PalsyRisk Factors

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 128 , Issue 2 , February 2014 , pp. 159 - 162
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2014 

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