Evaluation of Frozen Section in Parotid Gland Surgery

Abstract

• One hundred eight patients underwent primary parotid gland resections at Stanford University Medical Center between 1977 and 1980. Sixty-nine percent of the patients received intraoperative frozen-section diagnosis. Of these, 81% were benign and 19% were malignant. Four patients who received frozen-section diagnosis benefited by further surgery during the initial procedure. Two of four patients who did not receive frozensection diagnosis could have benefited by further surgery. False-negative results (a malignant tumor called benign on frozensection diagnosis) occurred in 5%. Falsepositive results (a benign lesion called malignant on frozen-section diagnosis) did not occur and no unnecessary surgery was performed. (Arch Otolaryngol 1983;109:230-232)