Why is this procedure done?
The parotid glands are tissues that make saliva. They are found inside the cheeks. A small duct connects the parotid gland to the mouth so saliva can travel to the mouth and help digest food. ‚
A parotidectomy is a procedure to remove part or all of the parotid gland. This procedure is often done to remove a mass in the parotid gland. ‚
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What will the results be?
All or part of your parotid gland will be removed, along with the mass. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history. Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- Your doctor will do an exam and may order:
- Lab tests
- X-ray of the parotid gland
- CT or MRI scan
- You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an IV in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery.
- When you are asleep, the doctors put a tube in your mouth to help you breathe. Your doctor may put a tube in your bladder to drain urine.
- Your doctor will clean your face. Your doctor will make a cut on your cheek to see the parotid gland and take out the mass.
- Your doctor will close the cut with stitches and cover it up with clean bandages. Your doctor may leave a tube or drain in your wound before closing it.
- The procedure may take about 4 hours.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely. You may have to stay in the hospital for a few days or you may go home that day.
- You may have discomfort and numbness after the procedure. This may become more painful when the anesthesia wears off. Your doctor will give you drugs for pain.
- If you have a drain in your wound, it may be removed the next day.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Keep your head raised on 2 pillows when you lie down or sleep in a recliner. Ask your doctor how long you should sleep with your head raised.
- Avoid heavy physical activity like jogging, aerobics, swimming, or lifting heavy objects until your doctor says it is OK.
- Make sure to take all the drugs ordered by your doctor.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
- Get lots of rest. Avoid tiring activities.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your condition needs close monitoring. Your doctor will ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor will tell you if other tests are needed.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- You may have problems chewing and opening your mouth after the surgery.
- Eat soft foods like soups and pureed fruits and vegetables after surgery or until the swelling and pain goes away. Avoid citrus fruits. Avoid crunchy and hard foods like meat, popcorn, and crackers that need a lot of chewing.
What problems could happen?
- Injury to the facial nerve
- Numbness of the ear lobe
- Infection
- Bleeding
- The skin over the parotid gland sweats when you eat
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Bleeding that soaks a gauze dressing in 10 minutes and keeps bleeding
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Otolaryngology ¢ ˆ ’ Head and Neck Surgery ‚
http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/salivaryGlands.cfm ‚
American Cancer Society ‚
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/SalivaryGlandCancer/DetailedGuide/salivary-gland-cancer-treating-surgery ‚
Cancer Research UK ‚
http://cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.org/type/salivary-gland-cancer/treatment/surgery/about-surgery-salivary-gland-cancer ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚