[Parotid tumors: a diagnostic and therapeutic protocol in 81 surgical cases]. / I tumori della parotide un protocollo diagnostico e terapeutico dopo 81 casi operati.

AIM: In the last five years we cured 81 patients divided in two groups: the first was managed inordinately, the second according to a diagnostic and therapeutic protocol. METHODS: The first 23 patients were differently evaluated, before surgery, by means of traditional sialography, US, CT, CT sialography, MR, larger bore needles and FNAB. Neoplasm enucleations, atipic resections, superficial and total conservative parotidectomies were performed. The following 58 patients were evaluated and cured according to a diagnostic and therapeutic protocol. RESULTS: Diagnostic and therapeutic time were shortened, patients endurance improved and cost lowered. DISCUSSION: We think that many diagnostic procedures are useless and delay operation that, if possible, must be performed according to principles of radical extirpation.