A procedure that eliminates possible complications in the future
The salivary glands are the glands that produce saliva. Their role is to enable easier swallowing by moisturing food, and they are also essential for the proper digestion of food in the oral cavity.
There are three large salivary glands (parotid, submandibular and sublingual) and many smaller salivary glands in the oral cavity. These glands continuously secrete saliva so that the humidity in the oral cavity is constant.
The most common disorders of the salivary glands are stones, tumors and chronic inflammation. Tumors most often arise in the parotid gland, and are more often benign than malignant.
The role of the salivary glands is not only to moisten food , which allows easier swallowing, but also to secrete enzymes that are responsible for the digestion of food.
Although food digestion is most often associated with digestion in the stomach, small and large intestine, it actually begins in our mouth. Namely, in addition to the secretion of saliva, the salivary glands secrete an enzyme called ptyalin, which is responsible for the breakdown of carbohydrates.
When chewing foods such as bread, cakes and similar foods rich in sugar, you may notice that most of the bites are reduced and digested in the mouth precisely because of the presence of this enzyme.
That is why it is an unwritten rule of all nutritionists and doctors that food must be chewed well before swallowing; Not only because of easier swallowing, but also because of better digestion that will not burden your stomach.
The parotid gland is located below and in front of the auricle, and its role is to secrete saliva into the area of the inside of the cheek, opposite the upper teeth.
The most common disorders related to the health of the parotid gland occur in the form of tumors or chronic inflammation. Tumors are more often benign, and conversion to malignancy is extremely rare.
In the case of developing a malignant tumor, there is a risk of spreading to surrounding structures (tissue/organs) such as bones, facial skin or facial nerves.
Parotid gland surgery is a procedure after which you quickly return to everyday activities, and due to the presence of other salivary glands in the mouth, problems with moisting and swallowing food will not be present.
Depending on the type and size of the tumor, the surgeon may remove part ( superficial/partial parotidectomy) or the entire parotid gland (total parotidectomy).
This decision is made by performing diagnostic tests, such as ultrasound, cytological puncture and CT/MRI scan.
Whether it is a benign or malignant tumor, in most cases you will not feel any pain in the affected area. Only in the later stage of a malignant tumor can you feel pain to the touch, feel a node under/in front of the ear, but also a disorder of the facial nerve function, which is manifested by unilateral paresis of the facial muscles. Without the right diagnostic methods, it is not easy to recognize a parotid tumor. The reason for this is the location of the gland, whose symptoms such as pain or swelling can very easily be for problems such as ear inflammation or wisdom tooth growth.
Therefore, in order to be sure which disorder it is, a clinical examination is the best solution to diagnose the disease to begin with.
In order to successfully diagnose a tumor, we use several methods at the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic:
With a basic ENT examination , we check the functioning of the ear, throat and nose, which we try to see what exactly your problems are related to.
With a detailed examination with a flexible endoscope, we can take a closer look at abnormalities in the area of the nose, pharynx and larynx.
Ultrasound can analyze the size and shape of the node in the gland and its extension to the surrounding tissues. We can also see enlarged and altered lymph nodes along the gland and in the neck.
With a short needle prick in the affected area, we take a sample that is microscopically and chemically analyzed. With this examination, we get results on the composition of the tissue and the diagnosis of tumors.
With these images, we get an insight into the targeted anatomical area, but also the surrounding structures, such as nerves, which we must pay special attention to so as not to damage them during the procedure.
This test also provides imaging information about the size and location of the tumor in the salivary gland, as well as its relationship to the surrounding structures.
In addition to the examinations performed, before surgery for a tumor of the parotid gland, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the precautions that you will have to follow before and after the procedure.
To perform the operation, we need your consent for general anesthesia and documentation of your general health, which includes laboratory findings, ECG and X-ray of the heart and lungs.
We need blood counts to notice any abnormalities related to other diseases, such as blood clotting disorders, or an increased number of leukocytes that can refer us to infections in the body.
The ECG recording is important to us because you will be under general anesthesia during the operation, and during the procedure we will manifest your heart rate.
Therefore, with an ECG recording, we get results in a normal state and they serve us for comparison in case of possible complications during the procedure. In addition to examinations related to the use of general anesthesia, it is necessary to adhere to the guidelines before and after the operation, which include:
In addition to the above guidelines, you are obliged to inform us if you have had allergic reactions to general anesthesia in previous surgeries, or if someone in your family has had similar disorders.
Due to allergic reactions, we will have to adjust the surgery plan, or even postpone the procedure altogether.
Before the start of the operation, the anesthesiologist gives you general anesthesia, after which you lose the sensation of pain and enter an unconscious state. During the operation, the anesthesiologist will observe your vital functions and point out any unexpected changes.
Once you are ready to start the operation, the specialist in otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery begins the procedure with an incision as for a facelift that is not visible and is the “gold standard” for the procedure.
During the operation, special attention is paid to the preservation of the facial nerve – the injury of which can cause permanently damaged facial expressions on the side where the parotid gland is located.
An ultrasonic knife can also be used for removal.
Once the tumor is removed, the wound closes, and the anesthesiologist wakes you up. A drain is placed in the wound, which is taken out in a couple of days.
The operation lasts between 60 and 120 minutes.
Be sure to come with an escort – the effects of general anesthesia is present for several hours after the operation. Therefore, do not drive at all, but leave it to your loved ones.
Recovery after surgery for a tumor of the parotid gland
Recovery after surgery varies from person to person. For the first two weeks after the procedure, do not overdo it with physical activities, as well as sudden head movements. You are allowed lighter exercises, and walking on a daily basis is even recommended.
You can expect a full recovery in a period of 3-4 months, and there are rare cases in which recovery takes up to a year.
In addition to the general risks associated with any surgical procedure, such as allergy to anesthesia, bleeding or infection, the following side effects are possible when operating for a parotid gland tumor:
The facial nerve is responsible for facial movements such as lip movement, closing eyes, and frowning.
Facial nerve injury can occur during parotidectomy, and if the nerve is not cut, the damage is transient. Recovery of facial expressions usually occurs after a few weeks to several months. Facial exercises and physical therapy help in recovery.
In rare cases, on the operated side of the face, increased sweating may occur when chewing food.
Parotidectomy is a procedure that we perform regularly at the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic , and the recovery is quick and without major complications.
Our team of ear, nose and throat specialists, as well as neck and head surgeons, will make sure that the procedure goes smoothly.
With modern working methods and adequate equipment, we can easily diagnose disorders of the parotid gland, and we perform the operation only after consultation and prescribed measures for your health.
If you notice some of the symptoms that indicate disorders of the parotid gland, feel free to contact us at +3851 2444 646 and make an appointment today. Also, if you are not able to call on the phone, you can fill out our online form
The main goal of LF Polyclinic is to improve the quality of life and health of our clients by providing them with top-notch healthcare services.
