Parotid Gland Removal (Parotidectomy)

What is a parotidectomy?

A parotidectomy is surgery to remove a parotid gland.

You have a parotid gland in each cheek just in front of and slightly below your ears. These glands make saliva.

This surgery may be a cure for cancer in the gland, or it may help prevent or treat other problems caused by a growth or stones in the gland. For example, sometimes chemicals in your saliva can harden and cause stones to form. The stones can block saliva and keep it from getting into your mouth. This can cause pain and swelling of the gland and a dry mouth.

When is it used?

Your healthcare provider may recommend removing a parotid gland because:

• The parotid gland has a lump. If the lump is cancer, the gland may need to be removed to cure the cancer and keep it from spreading. Even if the lump is not cancer, it may still need to be removed so if it gets bigger.
• You have pain and swelling from stones in the gland, or stones have damaged the gland.

You may choose not to have treatment. Ask your healthcare provider about your choices for treatment and the risks.

How do I prepare for this procedure?

• Make plans for your care and recovery after you have the procedure. Find someone to give you a ride home after the procedure. Allow for time to rest and try to find other people to help with your day-to-day tasks while you recover.
• Follow your provider's instructions about not smoking before and after the procedure. Smokers may have more breathing problems during the procedure and heal more slowly. It is best to quit 6 to 8 weeks before surgery.
• Some medicines (like aspirin) may increase your risk of bleeding during or after the procedure. Ask your healthcare provider if you need to avoid taking any medicine or supplements before the procedure.
• You may or may not need to take your regular medicines the day of the procedure, depending on what they are and when you need to take them. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines and supplements that you take.
• Your provider will tell you when to stop eating and drinking before the procedure. This helps to keep you from vomiting during the procedure.
• Follow any other instructions your healthcare provider gives you.
• Ask any questions you have before the procedure. You should understand what your healthcare provider is going to do.

What happens during the procedure?

This procedure will be done at the hospital.

You will be given a general anesthesia to keep you from feeling pain. General anesthesia relaxes your muscles and you will be asleep.

Your healthcare provider will make a cut just in front of your ear and under your jaw in skin creases so that when the cut heals it will be hidden. Your provider will remove part of the parotid gland. The tissue that is removed will be examined with a microscope. Your provider may then remove the rest of the gland. Your provider will then close the cut.

The procedure will take 1 and a half to 3 hours.

What happens after the procedure?

You may be in the hospital for 1 to 2 days.

The side of your face will be sore for at least a week and swollen for about 3 weeks. While you are recovering, you may feel discomfort when chewing.

The side of your face may be bruised and numb. Your face may droop for 3 to 6 weeks and recover slowly.

Ask your healthcare provider:

• how long it will take to recover
• what activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
• how to take care of yourself at home
• what symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup.

What are the risks of this procedure?

Your healthcare provider will explain the procedure and any risks. Some possible risks include:

• Anesthesia has some risks. Discuss these risks with your healthcare provider.
• The nerves in your cheek may be permanently damaged during this operation. If this happens, one or more of the muscles in your face may not work as before. This means that a side of your face could droop or you may not be able to move your lower lip as well as before.
• You may have numbness in the lower part of your earlobe.
• If you had cancer in the gland, you may need more treatment.
• You may have infection or bleeding.

There is risk with every treatment or procedure. Ask your healthcare provider how these risks apply to you. Be sure to discuss any other questions or concerns that you may have.