Parotidectomy

Parotidectomy is the partial or complete removal of the parotid gland; it may be indicated for a variety of reasons that can include inflammatory conditions, certain infectious processes, congenital malformations, and benign or malignant neoplasms. Regardless of the indication for surgery, parotidectomy is a meticulous procedure requiring experienced surgeons, particularly due to the relationship of the gland to the facial nerve. This chapter describes the relevant surgical anatomy and discusses the types of parotid surgical procedures, indications and contraindications of parotidectomy, pre-procedural planning and perioperative care, equipment needed during surgery, technical considerations, patient preparation, and steps of the procedure (superficial parotidectomy, partial superficial parotidectomy, extracapsular dissection, total parotidectomy, radical parotidectomy, and extended total parotidectomy). Finally, this chapter discusses all potential complications of parotid surgical procedures.