A Proposal for Surgical Classification of Benign Parotid Tumor

Abstract

　 This study aimed to provide a comprehensive classification system for benign parotid tumors. Multiple techniques for parotidectomies have resulted in confusion regarding surgical procedures. Parotidectomies were divided into 10 procedures based on the tumor size, location, and the facial nerve relationship into the following; total, subtotal, total superficial (deep), upper-partial superficial (deep), lower-partial superficial (deep), extracapsular dissection (ECD), and enucleation. In our department, 1179 parotid surgeries were performed during the past 23 years. They all corresponded to this classification. In upper-superficial tumors, upper-partial superficial parotidectomy was performed in 89% of patients, while in upper-deep tumors, upper-partial deep parotidectomy and ECD were performed in almost similar. In the histopathological type, partial superficial parotidectomy was performed in cases with 64% pleomorphic adenoma, while in Warthin tumor, lower-partial parotidectomy was performed in cases with 55%. The rate of post-operative transient facial nerve paralysis at upper-superficial, upper-deep, lower-superficial, and lower-deep tumors was 15.4%, 36.4%, 12.8%, 21.3%, respectively. Surgical procedures were meant to include not only the difficulty of operation, but also the basic important information concerning clinical research for parotid tumors.