Parotidectomy surgery refers to the surgical procedure performed to resolve tumors of the parotid salivary glands. Cancer of parotid glands is relatively less common. The most common tumor is known as pleomorphic adenoma and need not be cancerous initially.
Dr Sandeep Nayak, Chief of Surgery, MACS Clinic, Bangalore, states,’ Parotidectomy surgery is the mainstay of treating parotid salivary gland located in the front of the ear. However, the main challenge during the surgery is preserving the facial nerve and other anatomic structures near the gland. Robotic assisted parotidectomy (RAP) is a robotic procedure that enables precise removal of the glands and a speedy recovery. ‘
Conventional surgery involves a long scar in front of the ear, which is not good to look at and the risk of damaging facial nerve. On the other hand, robotic assisted parotidectomy is a minimally invasive procedure assisted with a robotic camera offering a magnified and clearer vision of the surgical site for better precision. The wound is placed under the hairline which makes it scarless surgery.
He warns of the risk of injuring the facial nerve during the parotidectomy, which could lead to partial or total facial paralysis. The facial nerve passes through the parotid gland, and utmost care is required not to damage it. Hence, the surgeon should identify and protect the facial nerve before removing the parotid tumor during the surgery. Saving facial nerve is very important.
A robotic assisted parotidectomy (RAP) involves using the 3D robotic camera, which empowers the surgeon to get a better view of the surgical site for protecting the facial nerve while removing the parotid tumor. However, the technique is still very new and most surgeons are yet to start this procedure.
The surgeon may perform total or adequate or superficial parotidectomy depending on extent of tumor and location. If required, the surgeon will remove the lymph nodes.
Surgery is the only treatment for pleomorphic adenoma of parotid gland as most salivary glands grow slower and are rarely malignant. There are two types of parotidectomy surgeries, viz. superficial and total parotidectomy. Superficial parotidectomy is recommended to remove the entire or a part of the superficial lobe of the parotid gland. Often it is called adequate parotidectomy as well, as only the affected part of the parotid gland is removed.
If essential, the surgeon will remove some healthy tissue without causing damage to the facial nerve. Total parotidectomy is recommended if the tumor is located within the deep lobe along with the superficial lobe. In most cases surgery is the only treatment that is needed.
About MACS Clinic & Dr Sandeep Nayak
Dr Sandeep Nayak is the founder and Chief of Oncology at MACS Clinic, Bangalore and leads a team of distinguished and well-qualified oncologists. MACS Clinic is dedicated to helping patients recover from cancer in the best possible manner and experience minimal trauma during the treatment journey. MACS clinic offers comprehensive consultation on cancer treatment, including for radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and so on.
Dr Sandeep Nayak is an expert in Minimal Access Cancer Surgeries (MACS) – Laparoscopic and Robotic surgery, rectal cancer surgery (ISR) & other highly specialised cancer surgeries. Additionally, he is the pioneer of robotic thyroid surgery (RABIT) and robotic Neck Dissection (RIA-MIND) for oral, head & neck cancer.
