2.2 Participants
Adults patients who underwent primary CD of a parotid lump and the histological diagnosis confirmed the presence of a pleomorphic adenoma between the years 2010 and 2020 were eligible for participation. At least 12 months after surgery were necessary to ensure complete healing, evaluation of the facial nerve function and exclusion of incomplete PA resection. Patients with a suspected RPA referred from other institution or history of prior surgery for an undefined parotid lump were excluded. Past radiological investigations, history,surgical and histological records were scrutinised for identifying the position and the multifocality of the PA, the type of surgical approach, the presence or absence of inadvertent capsule breach and any planned or unplanned dissection of the main trunk of the facial nerve. ECD and partial/superficial parotidectomies were excluded from analysis. Evaluation of the tumour size and capsule integrity was based on the postoperative histological report. Patients were interviewed for clinically significant Frey syndrome and hypoaesthesia of the ear lobule and adjacent area. The function of the facial nerve and the parotid area were assessed clinically and any asymmetries or lumps were noted. For palpable lumps, patients would be offered fine needle aspiration (FNA) and if cytology was inconclusive, surgery depending on resectability/risks.The primary follow up radiological investigation at the time of study was the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) for claustrophobic patients.