Background
The mechanism of postparotidectomy facial palsy is not only clear but also there is a great heterogenecity in the reported risk factors for that complication. The authors conducted this study to report the incidence of facial nerve dysfunction after parotidectomy for benign lesions and to identify the risk factors for this complication.
Patients and methods
This prospective cross-sectional study included 73 cases that were allocated into two groups according to the incidence of facial palsy: group A included 54 cases that did not develop facial palsy, and group B included 19 cases diagnosed with it. The incidence of postoperative facial palsy was our primary outcome, whereas risk factors for that complication were the secondary outcomes. The following factors were collected and statistically tested as risk factors: age, sex, BMI, preexisting comorbidities, tumor site, tumor side, operative time, and postoperative pathology.
Results
Although basic patient demographics were comparable between the two groups, the prevalence of diabetes was higher in group B. Moreover, deep-located tumors, large-sized tumors, and prolonged operative time were also observed in cases that developed facial palsy. Tumor pathology showed no significant difference between the two groups.
Conclusion
Facial nerve palsy is a common complication that could be encountered after parotidectomy even for benign lesions. In our study, deep tumor location, tumor diameter greater than 3 cm, and diabetes mellitus are independent risk factors for this complication.