parotidectomy(radical)

Last reviewed 01/2018

A radical parotidectomy is an operation designed to remove the contents of the parotid bed in the presence of high grade tumours. The facial nerve is excised within the salivary gland, as are significant areas of surrounding normal tissue.

The distal branches of the facial nerve may be refashioned from dissected branches of the cervical plexus; the latter are sutured to the residual trunk of the facial nerve.

Frey's syndrome is an infrequent complication.