Introduction:
Parotid gland is a major salivary gland in the human body. It secrets saliva in the oral cavity to facilitate chewing and digestion. Parotidectomy is the partial or complete removal of the parotid gland. It is indicated for treatment of parotid inflammatory or neoplastic causes. The most common benign neoplastic causes are pleomorphic adenoma and Warthin's tumor. Diagnosis for parotid lesions is made using ultrasonography, computed topography and MRI. Facial nerve paresis, great auricular nerve affection, seroma formation, haematoma formation, surgical site infection, skin flap necrosis and Frey's syndrome are possible complications after parotidectomy. In parotidectomy, scalpel and electrocautary can be used in raising the skin flap. Parotidectomy has traditionally been completed with a drain insertion and overnight hospital stay, but now with the fine dissection and decrease the rate of complications of parotid surgery, the drainless parotidectomy is considered a safe procedure.
Aim of the work
The aim of the study was to compare between scalpel versus electrocautary in raising skin flap in parotid surgery as regards flap integrity, haematoma and seroma formation and to assess the impact of post-operative “no drainage" versus “drainage" in parotid surgery as regards analgesic requirements, seroma and haematoma formation.