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.