Facial Rehabilitation Following Radical Parotid-Gland Surgery

Abstract

Two great deterrents have hindered the successful management of tumors of the parotid gland. The first has been a lack of accurately coordinating knowledge concerning the microscopic classification of parotid tumors, their biology, management, and prognosis. Recent publications have helped to clarify this deficiency.¹ The second deterrent has been fear of injury to the facial nerve and the use of inadequate methods of rehabilitation of the paralyzed face. A more vigorous approach to this latter problem has proved advantageous to the management of these tumors and helpful to the patient.² The vast majority of tumors of the parotid gland can be cured without permanent injury to the facial nerve. This includes all the benign tumors and cysts, which comprise approximately 70% of the tumefactions in this gland. Of the remaining one-third, which are malignant tumors, the nerve need not be permanently damaged in 10%-15% of the cases. This