Surgical Consideration for Parotid Gland Tumors

Elliot Shih-Jung CHENG

Salivary gland tumors are uncommon, accounting for only 6 to 8 percent of head and neck tumors. However, parotid tumor represents 80% of all salivary gland tumor. Generally, tentative diagnosis is derived from clinical presentation and imaging study but confirmed by ultrasound or CT-guided core needle biopsy or after tumor excision with pathological verification. Facial nerve protection is of paramount importance described by facial surgery, including parotidectomy, rhytidectomy, or other cosmetic surgery. Nevertheless, facial re-animation is the uppermost for post-surgical patients with facial nerve integrity. Based on the reduction of iatrogenic facial nerve injury, a nerve monitoring system is highly recommended with delicate dissection and sensitive alertness. In addition to facial nerve preservation and protection, an endoscope- or robot-assisted surgery for the parotid tail tumor is also recommended owing to cosmetic considerations. In this speech, I will show how to apply a nerve monitoring system, endoscope- or robot-assisted surgery to preserve facial nerve function and improve cosmetics, sparing normal parotid tissue, shortening surgical time, and more flexible surgical methods.