What Are the Risks and Benefits of Parotid Tumor Surgery?
A parotidectomy and facelift is a surgical procedure that removes tumors from the parotid gland while minimizing visible facial scars. The parotid gland is the largest salivary gland, located in front of the ear extending to the jaw angle. Because the facial nerve runs through the gland, careful surgery is required to avoid facial weakness. In addition to removing tumors, the technique can be combined with a facelift incision . This approach allows the surgeon to hide scars along natural skin folds while giving access to the gland. Combining these procedures provides both tumor removal and cosmetic benefit. What Are Common Types of Parotid Tumors? Most parotid tumors are benign, with about 85% being non-cancerous. The most common type is a pleomorphic adenoma , also called a benign mixed tumor. These tumors are well-defined, slow-growing, and usually removable with surgery. Another common benign tumor is the Warthin’s tumor , often found in older adults. This ...
