An audit of parotid gland surgeries in Kano, Nigeria: A review of 34 cases.

Background: Neoplasms both benign and malignant are the most common indications for parotidectomy. About 70%-80% of all salivary gland tumours are located in the parotid gland with up to 80% being benign. Parotidectomy is a common surgical procedure performed by the otorhinolaryngologist and oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

Aims: This study aimed to document our experience on parotid gland surgeries, and occurrence of facial nerve palsy.

Materials And Methods: The records of all patients that had parotidectomy between January 2014 and December 2018 were evaluated. Demographic, clinical and operative data were retrieved and analysed using Statistical Product and Service Solution version 23.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA).

Results: A total of 34 cases were reviewed and there were 12 (35.3%) males and 22 (64.7%) females with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.8 and mean age ± standard deviation of 39.3 ± 18.4 years. Patients with primary disease constituted the majority 29 (85.3%) in this series. Most of them (26, 76.5%) had superficial parotidectomy. Cervicomastoidfacial incision was the most preferred incision employed among 33 (97.1%) of our patients. Complication following surgery was observed in 12 (35.3%) patients. Majority, 7 (63.6%), had temporary facial nerve paresis. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common histological diagnosis noted in 19 (55.9%) patients postoperatively. There is a statistically significant association between fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) findings and final histological diagnosis.

Conclusion: Pre-operative FNAC could be a reliable tool in the evaluation of our patients being prepared for parotidectomy even in our resource-poor setting.