Superficial Parotidectomy Versus Partial Superficial Parotidectomy: A Comparison of Complication Rates, Operative Time, and Hospital Stay.

PURPOSE: The type and extent of surgery for benign parotid tumors are a subject of debate. We aimed to measure and compare hospital stay, operative time, and complication rates associated with superficial parotidectomy (SP) and partial superficial parotidectomy (PSP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all patients who underwent surgery for benign parotid gland tumors in our tertiary center between January 2006 and March 2014 and were followed up for at least 3 years. The predictor variable was the type of parotidectomy, and the main outcome parameters were operative time, hospital stay, and postoperative complications. The demographic characteristics (age and gender), clinical history, and preoperative findings were obtained from patient records. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ2 test were used to analyze the data. P < .05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The sample was composed of 321 patients (184 men and 137 women) with a mean age of 54.0 ± 14.7 years (range, 18 to 87 years). Of these, 190 underwent SP and 131 underwent PSP. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common tumor (83 patients, 53%), followed by Warthin tumor (50 patients, 32%). The mean hospital stay was 6.7 ± 2.3 days in the SP group and 4.8 ± 2.4 days in the PSP group (P < .001). The mean operative times in the SP and PSP groups were 134.0 ± 24.6 and 92.1 ± 21.9 minutes, respectively (P < .001). The overall complication rates were 21.6% and 12.2% in the SP and PSP groups, respectively (P = .031). No tumor recurrence was observed in either group.

CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the SP group, the PSP group had shorter operative and hospital stay durations and fewer postoperative complications with a comparable recurrence rate. Therefore, PSP should be considered in suitable cases.