Parotidectomy: Surgical Removal of Salivary Glands

What is Parotidectomy and Parotidectomy Prices in Turkey

With developing and advancing technology in our country, the treatment of many diseases has become possible. These treatments, whether serious or mild in nature, are always taken seriously by doctors, and the aim is to enable patients to continue their lives in a healthy manner.

The human body functions in a certain order, like a well-built clock. When this continuity is disrupted, the body sends signals indicating that it is unwell. In people who go to the doctor and begin the treatment process for their existing diseases, earlier treatment leads to easier recovery.

The human body is created as a perfect organism. This perfection exists in every organ. One of these organs is the parotid glands, which most people do not even know the name or location of. In other words, they are also referred to as salivary glands among the general population.

These glands are located in the head and neck area and produce saliva necessary for digestion, sending it through channels to organs such as the mouth, throat, and nose.

In the treatment of diseases such as cancer that occur in these glands, the surgeon removes the parotid glands when deemed necessary. This removal can be done as a complete removal or partial removal. This procedure is called Parotidectomy Surgery.

What is Parotidectomy Surgery?

The parotid glands, located in the ear area where the head and neck region meet, are important organs for the production of saliva, which plays an important role in a person's health. Surgical intervention may be necessary in the treatment of diseases such as cancer that may develop in these organs.

In such a situation, the doctor removes all or part of the patient's parotid glands. This procedure is called Parotidectomy Surgery. This surgery, which is performed under general anesthesia, is often successful. Patients who experience an uncomplicated recovery are discharged and sent home within two days.

What is Superficial Parotidectomy Surgery?

During surgery, the parotid gland present in the patient is divided into two lobes. Superficial parotidectomy surgery is the removal of the parotid gland that is located at the level of the facial nerve and appears superficially. It is one of the most common types of surgery performed in the medical field.

What is Total Parotidectomy?

In this parotid gland surgery, all of the parotid glands present in the person are removed, including both the superficial and deep lobes.

The removal of all these glands is performed depending on the stage of the disease and the doctor's decision.

What is Superficial Parotidectomy?

The aim in Superficial Parotidectomy is to remove only the superficial lobe located in the parotid gland, while paying attention to all nerve functions of the person.

What is Radical Parotidectomy?

This procedure involves removing portions such as the person's facial skin overlying the bones or parotid glands. At this stage, they may need to remove some additional tissues as well.

What are Parotidectomy Complications?

As with the treatment of any disease, there are some serious complications in parotidectomy. The most serious of these complications are those related to facial nerves. A tumor that is attached to a person's parotid glands may also be attached to the nerve. During their removal, even if temporary, weakness in the nerves can occur.

Some tumors may have completely surrounded these nerves, making their removal impossible.

Generally, complications develop quite rarely in doctors who are specialists and experienced in their field. For this reason, you should know well and choose the doctor to whom you will entrust yourself.

Parotidectomy Risks and Preventive Measures

Although parotidectomy is generally considered a safe surgical procedure, like all surgeries, it carries some potential risks. These risks include:

• Facial nerve paralysis: Due to the facial nerve passing through the parotid gland, nerve damage can occur during surgery, which can lead to temporary or permanent loss of function in the face.
• Infection: There is a possibility of infection developing in the surgical area.
• Bleeding: Bleeding may occur during or after surgery.
• Scar tissue: Scarring may result after healing in the surgical area.
• Swallowing difficulties: Some patients may experience temporary difficulties in swallowing function after surgery.

There are certain points that should be observed to minimize these risks:

• Selection of an experienced surgeon: Having the parotidectomy performed by a surgeon experienced in this procedure reduces the risk of complications.
• Preoperative preparation: It is important for the patient to follow the doctor's instructions, discontinue certain medications if necessary, and have blood tests performed.
• Postoperative wound care: Regular use of medications recommended by the doctor and changing dressings according to instructions support the healing process.

General Information About Parotid Gland Tumors

A parotid gland tumor is abnormal cell proliferation occurring in the parotid gland, one of the large salivary glands located on both sides of the face. These tumors can be benign or malignant.

Symptoms of Benign Parotid Tumors

The symptoms of benign parotid tumors vary from person to person and may show no symptoms initially. When symptoms do appear, they typically present as follows:

• Swelling on one side of the face
• Facial pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of taste sensation
• Speech difficulty

In some cases, a growing tumor may put pressure on nerves or blood vessels, leading to additional symptoms:

• Facial nerve paralysis
• Hearing loss
• Eye-related problems

To make a diagnosis, methods such as physical examination, X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and biopsy may be used.

In most cases, benign parotid tumors do not require specific treatment. However, if the tumor is causing symptoms or showing growth, the doctor may recommend surgical removal.

Parotid Gland Cancer

Parotid gland cancer is a rare type of cancer that develops in the parotid gland that produces saliva. Parotid cancer can also present as benign or malignant tumors. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can spread to other parts of the body; benign tumors are not cancerous and do not spread.

Symptoms may include:

• Swelling on one side of the face
• Facial pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of taste sensation
• Speech difficulty

Diagnostic methods include:

• Physical examination
• X-ray
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computed tomography (CT)
• Biopsy

Treatment of Parotid Gland Cancer

The treatment of parotid gland cancer is shaped based on many factors such as the size, location, and extent of spread of the tumor.

Surgery: Surgery is the primary treatment method for parotid cancer. During the surgical procedure, the tumor and affected parotid gland are removed. In some cases, surrounding tissues may also need to be removed.

Radiotherapy: Radiotherapy uses high-energy beams that target cancer cells. It can be applied before surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. It can be applied before surgery, after surgery, or in combination with radiotherapy.

Palliative Care: The aim of palliative care is not to treat the cancer but to improve the patient's quality of life. It may include medical, psychological, and social support elements.

During the treatment process, patients are advised to discuss all treatment options with their doctors, seek support from family and loved ones, and gather information about their disease.

Recovery Process from Parotid Gland Cancer

The recovery process from parotid gland cancer can show significant variations from person to person depending on many factors such as the size and location of the tumor, the extent of spread, the patient's age, and general health status. In general medical literature, it is noted that the treatment process can proceed more positively when the disease is detected in its early stages. For this reason, it is important to consult a specialist without delay if suspicious symptoms are present. The definitive prognosis and course should be evaluated separately for each patient by the doctor.

Is Parotid Gland Dangerous?

In general, the parotid gland is not a dangerous organ in itself. However, certain conditions affecting this gland can be serious:

• Parotid gland inflammation: It is an infection affecting the parotid gland. It can become serious if it spreads to other parts of the body.
• Parotid gland stones: These are hard masses that form inside the parotid gland and can cause swelling and pain in the face.
• Parotid gland cancer: It is a rare type of cancer and becomes serious if it shows signs of spread.

When tumor formation occurs in the parotid gland, the situation changes depending on the type of tumor. Benign tumors are not cancerous and do not spread to other parts of the body; however, they can cause facial swelling and pain and in some cases can pressure nerves or blood vessels, leading to additional symptoms. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can spread to other organs such as lymph nodes, lungs, and liver; if left untreated, they can result in serious consequences.

Is Salivary Gland Surgery Dangerous?

Salivary gland surgery (parotidectomy) is the surgical removal of part or all of the salivary gland. Salivary glands play an important role for the body as they produce saliva that helps in the digestion of food.

Although it is generally considered a safe procedure, it can carry some potential risks:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Numbness or muscle weakness in the face
• Speech problems
• Swallowing problems
• Changes in saliva

Certain factors such as the size and location of the tumor and the patient's general health status can increase the risk of complications. For this reason, patients are advised to discuss the possible risks and benefits of surgery in detail with their doctors, carefully follow pre- and post-operative instructions, and seek support from family and loved ones during the recovery process.

Causes of Parotid Gland Swelling

There are many different conditions that can cause swelling in the parotid gland:

• Infection: Bacterial or viral infections can cause swelling in the parotid gland.
• Inflammation: Non-infectious inflammations such as salivary gland inflammation can cause swelling.
• Cancer: Parotid gland swelling can be a symptom of rare parotid cancer.
• Medications: Some drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can cause swelling in the parotid gland.
• Injury: Trauma to the face can cause swelling in the parotid gland.
• Autoimmune disorders: Some autoimmune diseases can also cause swelling in the parotid gland.

Accompanying symptoms may include swelling and pain in the facial or jaw region, difficulty swallowing and speaking, and changes in saliva. Blood tests and imaging methods such as MRI or CT can be used in the diagnostic process.

When Does Parotid Gland Swelling Go Away?

The time for swelling to resolve varies depending on the underlying cause, the size of the swelling, and the treatment applied:

• Swelling caused by infection can typically resolve within a few days to a few weeks.
• Swelling due to salivary gland inflammation can last from a few weeks to a few months.
• Swelling due to salivary gland stones can resolve within a few weeks to a few months.
• In cases of swelling due to parotid cancer, the process varies depending on the treatment and disease progression; specialist medical evaluation is essential in such situations.

General recommendations that can help reduce swelling include following doctor's instructions, adequate fluid intake, healthy nutrition, and adequate rest.

How Long Does Parotidectomy Surgery Take?

Every disease varies from person to person. Every factor, from the response the person's body gives against the disease to the stage of the disease, affects the treatment process. Surgeries are also included in this effect.

Complications that may occur in the operating room, the person's response to surgery, the spread and size of the disease in the body are factors that influence this duration.

The duration of parotidectomy surgery, which is among the most frequently asked questions, varies from person to person. The surgery, which is generally expected to take between 1-6 hours, progresses according to the flow of the process.

Parotidectomy Surgery Prices in Turkey

Many surgeries are performed in Turkey. While these surgeries return people to their normal lives, they also create an impact in the world media. Foreign citizens who hear the echoes of this impact choose to be treated in Turkey to entrust themselves to reliable Turkish physicians.

The treatment process proceeds with equal rights for everyone, whether they are Turkish citizens or foreign nationals. The only difference is in the diseases and treatment methods. Every disease is unique to each person, and the treatments performed also vary from person to person.

Research has shown that Turkey is among the countries that foreign citizens consider most trustworthy. The factors that explain why patients choose Turkey include the employment of doctors who are specialists and experienced in their fields, the friendly demeanor of all personnel involved in patient care, well-developed and spacious hospitals, and affordable treatment costs.

If you would also like to undergo parotidectomy surgery in Turkey, you can begin this process through us. Additionally, by contacting us, you can obtain comprehensive information about the process and pricing.