The 8th AJCC classification is inferior to a new neck stage based on intraparotid lymph node in parotid gland cancer.

BACKGROUND: Lymph node (LN) status is an important prognostic factor for parotid gland cancer (PGC). This study aimed to analyze the impact of extranodal extension (ENE) of intraparotid LN and LN metastasis burden on survival in PGC. METHODS: Patients with surgically treated PGC and at least one metastatic cervical LN were retrospectively enrolled. Primary outcome variables were distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS). The impact of ENE and LN metastasis burden was assessed using the Cox model. RESULTS: A total of 292 patients were included. ENE in cervical or intraparotid LN was not associated with DMFS, DSS, or OS. Intraparotid LN metastasis had a significant impact on prognosis, and the presence of only one metastatic intraparotid LN offered an approximately 1.5-fold risk of distant metastasis. Prognostic models based on the number of positive LNs (1 vs. 2-3 vs. 4+) were superior to the AJCC N stage in terms of DMFS, DSS, and OS. CONCLUSIONS: ENE of cervical or intraparotid LN has a limited effect on the prognosis of PGC, and the number of positive LNs is better than the AJCC N stage in LN status evaluation.

Parapharyngeal space tumors: a twenty-year single-center retrospective analysis on the effectiveness of transcervical and transoral approaches on local control and disease-specific survival.

INTRODUCTION: To retrospectively analyzed our twenty-years single-center experience in the treatment of PPS tumors, focusing on the selection of surgical approach and the survival outcome. METHODS: Tumors involving the PPS between January 2000 and February 2022 were retrospectively included. The surgical approach was dictated by the localization of the tumor, its dimensions, the relation to anatomic structures and its etiology. RESULTS: 34 patients were included in the study. The median age was 50.5 yr, with a gender female prevalence. Most tumors were benign and non recurrent. 20 tumors were treated through lateral approach (transcervical or transcervical-transparotid), 11 through medial approach (transoral), and only 3 tumors were approached by multiple corridors. The 5 years disease free survival (DFS) was 78.8 % (CI 78-79.3 %). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, the transcervical and transoral approaches can be considered the ideal surgical approach to manage tumors of PPS, especially in cases of benign neoplasms.

Myoepithelial Carcinoma Arising in a Salivary Duct Cyst of the Parotid Gland: Case Presentation.

Cystic lesions observed in parotid glands are relatively rare and comprise 2-5% of all parotid primaries. A salivary duct cyst (SDC) is a true cyst representing 10% of all salivary gland cysts. The risk of malignant transformation of SDC's epithelium is extremely rare. In the literature, only three cases of carcinoma ex SDC of the parotid gland are described. This report presents the first in the literature case of myoepithelial carcinoma (MECA) arising from a parotid SDC. A 75-year-old male patient was referred to the Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery of the Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland due to a cystic tumor arising from the right parotid gland. Superficial parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation was performed. Histological examination confirmed a rare case of MECA emerging from the SDC. The immunohistochemical profile of MECA ex SDC was presented. During 6 months of the follow-up, local recurrence or distant metastasis was not observed.

Nomograms predictive for oncological outcomes in malignant parotid tumours: recurrence and mortality rates of 228 patients from a single institution.

PURPOSE: Malignant parotid tumours are rare and multiple prognostic factors exist. METHODS: Through a retrospective study we aimed to identify nomograms predicting recurrence and mortality rates in 228 primary parotid cancers. Patients clinical, treatment and tumour characteristics were retrospectively collected between 1980 and 2005 at our Institution. Factors predictive of disease-free-specific-survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated by univariate and multivariate analysis. Nomograms were then constructed. RESULTS: The 5- and 10-year DSS rates were 73% and 71.4%, and nomogram was drawn based on five parameters where perineural invasion showed the most significant predicting influence (p < 0.001). The median follow-up was of 95 months and the 5- and 10-year OS rates were 68.7% and 53.1%; six predictive variables (age, histological grade, perineural invasion, pathological lymph node status, resection margins and distant metastasis) were used to create nomogram. CONCLUSIONS: Our nomograms provide a tailored outcome to a patient affected by malignant parotid tumour and give him/her a risk assessment for recurrence and mortality based on individual factors by a concordance index > 0.8.

Acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland: Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes? A multicenter retrospective analysis focusing on survival outcome.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the demographic data, surgical and adjuvant treatment data and the survival outcomes in adult patients affected by acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland (AciCC). METHODS: A retrospective multicenter analysis of patients treated for AciCC of the parotid gland from 2000 to 2021 was performed. Exclusion criteria were pediatric (0-18 years) patients, the absence of follow-up and patients with secondary metastatic disease to the parotid gland. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with survival. RESULTS: The study included 81 adult patients with AciCC of the parotid gland. The median age was 46.3 years (SD 15.81, range 19-84 years), with a gender female prevalence (F = 48, M = 33). The mean follow-up was 77.7 months (min 4-max 361, SD 72.46). The 5 years overall survival (OS) was 97.5%. The 5 years disease-free survival (DFS) was 60%. No statistical differences have been found in prognosis for age (< 65 or ≥ 65 years), sex, surgery type (superficial vs profound parotid surgery), radicality (R0 vs R1 + Rclose), neck dissection, early pathologic T and N stages and adjuvant therapy (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study did not find prognostic factor for poorest outcome. In contrast with the existing literature, our results showed how also high-grade tumours cannot be considered predictive of recurrence or aggressive behaviour.

Adjuvant radiotherapy in malignant tumors of parotid. Experience of the Navarra Hospital Complex.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to review the outcome of patients with parotid cancer treated with postoperative radiotherapy at Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra in the last ten years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients treated with adjuvant radiotherapy between January 2008 and December 2018. We analyzed demographic data, histopathologic findings, local control (LC) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A total of 40 patients received postoperative radiotherapy during the period mentioned. There were 22 men (55%) and 18 women (45%). Median age was 58 years (19-90). By tumor histology, the most common was squamous cell carcinoma (22.5%) followed by ex-pleomorphic adenoma (15%) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (10%). According to Surgery, 19 patients (47.5%) underwent a total parotidectomy, 20 (50%) partial parotidectomy, and 1 (2.5%) a radical parotidectomy. Twenty-one patients (51.2%) underwent cervical dissection, most of them being supraomohyoid (31.7%). Reasons for adjuvant RT were: R1 resection (35% of the patients), high grade tumors (27.5%) and 17.5% because R1 surgery and R1. Radiation was administered using IMRT in most patients to a total dose of 60 Gy in 30 fractions. The 5-year overall survival (OS) (Kaplan-Meier) was 81% (95% CI: 68.5-96.2%), and 10-years - 64%. The 5-year local control (LC) (Kaplan-Meier) was 82.4% (95% CI: 91.46-73.33%) and the 10-year LC - 72.2% (95% CI: 54.9-96%). To date, only 4 patients (10%) have died due to their parotid tumor. CONCLUSION: The adjuvant radiotherapy added to surgery, significantly reduces the risk of recurrence in high-risk patients with a very acceptable survival rate.

Does neck dissection affect post-operative outcomes in parotidectomy? A national study.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize post-operative complications in parotidectomy with neck dissection. METHODS: Patients age ≥ 18 receiving a parotidectomy or parotidectomy with neck dissection between 2005 and 2017 were eligible for inclusion. Patients with unknown demographic variables were excluded. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 13,609 parotidectomy patients were analyzed, 11,243 (82.6%) without neck dissection and 2366 (17.4%) with neck dissection. Both length of surgery (mean minutes ± standard deviation [SD] = 335.9 ± 189.2 vs. 152.9 ± 99.0, p < 0.001) and length of hospital stay (mean days ± SD = 3.90 ± 4.76 vs. 1.04 ± 2.14, p < 0.001) were greater with dissection. 13.9% of parotidectomies with neck dissection and 3.5% without dissection (p < 0.001) had at least one complication, which remained significant after multivariable adjustment (Odds Ratio[OR] = 1.565 (95%CI = 1.279-1.914), p < 0.001). The increase in post-operative complications was predominately driven by an increased transfusion rate (7.4% vs. 0.5%, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis also demonstrated no significant difference in rates of returning to the operating room (OR = 1.122 (95%CI 0.843-1.493), p > 0.05) or rates of readmission (OR = 1.007 (95%CI 0.740-1.369), p > 0.05). Parotidectomy with neck dissection was more likely to be inpatient (OR = 4.411 (95%CI 3.887-5.004), p < 0.001) and to be ASA class 3 (OR = 1.367 (95%CI 1.194-1.564), p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Nationwide data demonstrates that parotidectomy with neck dissection is associated with increased rates of post-operative complications; however, neck dissection did not significantly impact readmission or reoperation rates. These findings indicate that neck dissection is a relatively safe addition to parotidectomy and provide novel evidence in the management of parotid malignancies.

Social determinants of health and survivorship in parotid cancer: An analysis of the National Cancer Database.

BACKGROUND: Given the rarity of parotid cancer, there is relatively few data published regarding outcomes. Utilizing the large sample population of the National Cancer Database (NCDB), we aim to examine the relationship between two key social determinants of health, demographics and socioeconomic status (SES), and parotid malignancy survival rates. METHODS: Our analytic sample consists of patients with a diagnosis of primary malignancy of the parotid gland between 2004 and 2012 in the NCDB. We used univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models to evaluate the relationship between overall survival rate and two key social determinants of health: demographics and SES. RESULTS: 15,815 cases met inclusion criteria. Average age was 60.1 years and 8255 were male (52.2%). Median overall survival was 121 months with 5-year overall survival of 67.4%. Male sex and older age at diagnosis were associated with poorer overall survival (p < 0.0001). We found that Asian Americans compared to whites had better overall survival (HR 0.75; 95% CI [0.58-0.95]). Black patients had improved survival compared to whites on univariate (HR 0.71; 95% CI [0.64-0.79]); but not multivariate analysis. Hispanic ethnicity and higher education level were protective (HR 0.76 95% CI [0.63-0.91] and HR 0.84 95% CI [0.74-0.96], respectively). We found no significant survival association based on income level. CONCLUSION: In this national sample of patients with parotid malignancy, a rare form of cancer, we found a significant correlation between important social determinants of health and overall survival rate. Females, Asian-Americans, Hispanics, and patients with higher education level have better overall survival.

Challenges with preoperative diagnosis of low/intermediate-grade carcinoma of the parotid gland: single-center study of 112 patients.

BACKGROUND: The malignancy of parotid carcinoma varies, and accurate preoperative assessment of malignancy is important for selecting the appropriate treatment. However, the preoperative diagnosis of low/intermediate-grade carcinoma is difficult, and surgery may sometimes be performed without any prior knowledge of malignancy. METHODS: The results of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNA), imaging studies (MRI and US), physical examination, and frozen section biopsy (FSB) were evaluated in 112 patients with low/intermediate-grade parotid carcinoma. RESULTS: The result of FNA was benign/inadequate specimen in 44.6% of the patients. In addition, the tumor was diagnosed as benign by MRI/US in 21.4% of the patients and 37.5% had no symptoms/signs of malignancy on physical examination. The rate of misdiagnosis as benign decreased when FNA was combined with imaging and physical findings. However, malignancy could not be diagnosed by FNA and FSB in 12.5% of the patients who were only found to have malignant tumors by the final pathological examination. CONCLUSION: FNA shows a high misdiagnosis rate of malignancy in patients with low/intermediate-grade cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully evaluate the findings of imaging studies and physical examination, and FSB should be conducted if such findings suggest the possibility of malignancy.

Role of intraparotid node metastasis in mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic factors for parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) usually include disease grade, tumor stage, node stage, perineural invasion, and lymphovascular invasion. But the role of intraparotid nodes (IPNs) remains unclear, therefore, the study aimed to analyze the significance of IPNs in predicting recurrence in parotid MEC. METHODS: One hundred and ninety patients were included for analysis finally. Data regarding demography, pathological characteristics, IPN metastasis, TNM stage, follow up was collected and evaluated. The recurrence-free survival (RFS) was the main study endpoint. RESULTS: A total of 47 (24.7%) patients had IPN metastasis, and the IPN metastasis was significantly related to tumor stage, pathologic N stage, lymph-vascular invasion, perineural invasion, and disease grade. Recurrence occurred in 34 (17.9%) patients. For patients without IPN metastasis, the 10-year RFS rate was 88%, for patients with IPN metastasis, the 10-year RFS rate was 54%, the difference was significant (p < 0.001). Further Cox model analysis confirmed the independence of IPN metastasis in predicting the prognosis. CONCLUSION: The IPN metastasis is relatively common in parotid MEC, it is significantly related to tumor stage and disease grade, IPN metastasis means worse recurrence-free survival.

Oncologic outcome and potential prognostic factors in primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland.

BACKGROUND: Primary parotid squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an uncommon tumour, and there is limited data on its prognosis and treatment. The goal of the current study was to analyse the potential prognostic factors and clinical outcomes for this tumour type. METHODS: Consecutive patients with surgically treated primary parotid SCC were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The primary end point was locoregional control (LRC) and disease-specific survival (DSS), which were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Independent prognostic factors were evaluated by the Cox proportional hazards method. RESULTS: In total, 53 patients were included for analysis. Perineural and lymphovascular invasion were observed in 21 and 16 patients, respectively. Intraparotid node (IPN) metastasis was reported in 23 patients with an incidence rate of 43.3%. Twenty-six patients with cN0 disease underwent neck dissection, and pathologic node metastasis was observed in 10 cases. The 5-year LRC and DS S rates were 35 and 49%, respectively. The Cox model was used to report the independence of disease stage and IPN metastasis in predicting LRC and the independence of disease stage and perineural invasion in predicting DSS. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of primary parotid SCC is relatively unfavourable. IPN metastasis significantly decreases disease control, disease stage is the most important prognostic factor, and neck dissection is suggested for patients at any stage.

Predictors of distant metastasis in parotid acinic cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Distant metastasis (DM) is a common treatment failure pattern in acinic cell carcinoma (AciCC) of the major salivary glands; therefore, the main goal of this study was to analyse the predictors of DM in parotid AciCC. METHODS: Consecutive patients with surgically treated parotid AciCC who were followed for at least 5 years were retrospectively reviewed. Data regarding age, sex, TNM stage, pathologic characteristics, surgical treatment, and follow-up examinations were collected and analysed. The primary end-point was DM control (DMC); the DMC survival was calculated from the date of surgery to the date of event or the latest follow-up examination and analysed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Independent prognostic factors were evaluated by the Cox proportional hazards method. RESULTS: A total of 144 patients were included. Positive intraparotid nodes (IPNs) were noted in 34 (31.8%) patients. High-grade transformation was noted in 12 (8.3%) patients. A total of 83 (57.6%) patients underwent neck dissection, and neck node metastasis was proven in 37 (44.6%, 37/83) patients. The 10-year DMC rate was 86%. The Cox model analysis confirmed IPN metastasis (1.854 [1.061-4.144], p = 0.011) and high-grade transformation (4.219 [1.948-15.553], p < 0.001) as independent predictive factors of the DMC survival. CONCLUSION: IPN metastasis and high-grade transformation are independent prognostic factors of the DMC survival.

Recurrent parotid gland carcinoma: how effective is salvage surgery?

OBJECTIVE: Recurrent parotid gland carcinomas (PGCs) are poorly characterized and studies focusing on this topic are rare due to their low incidence. The goal of this study is to analyze the therapeutic strategies, prognostic factors, and oncological outcomes of a series of patients with recurrent PGCs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review (1997-2012) of patients with recurrent PGCs was initially treated with curative intent. RESULTS: We identified 20 patients with recurrent PGCs. Eleven patients presented isolated local, regional, or distant metastases, while the rest had recurrences in multiple sites. Recurrent tumors tended to present more advanced T-stage (p = 0.01) and overall stage (p < 0.001), but not N-stage (p = 0.74) when compared to the initial tumors. Half the patients (50%) had distant metastases at the moment of recurrence diagnosis, and another three developed them after attempted salvage surgery. Only 8/20 patients with isolated local or regional recurrences were surgically salvaged with extended revision parotidectomy and neck dissection, respectively. The remaining 12 patients were managed on palliative basis. Overall survival (31.70 months vs. 20.73 months) and progression-free survival (28.70 months vs. 13.61 months) were not significantly different in patients managed surgically vs. palliatively. CONCLUSION: Recurrent PGCs are aggressive neoplasms with a high rate of distant metastases. Surgical salvage can be considered in patients with limited local and/or regional recurrences. The alternative to surgical salvage is palliative management with different chemotherapeutic regimens. Survival does not differ between the two strategies in the present series.

Management of the facial nerve in parotid cancer: preservation or resection and reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Management of the facial nerve is instrumental in the surgical treatment of parotid cancer. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed and ScienceDirect database. A total of 195 articles were finally included into the analysis, based on relevance, scientific evidence and actuality. RESULTS: In the majority of cases the facial nerve is not involved by tumor. In these cases, identification and preservation of the nerve, in addition to complete tumor removal, are essential for successful surgery. When the nerve is infiltrated by tumor, the affected portion of the nerve must be resected as part of radical parotidectomy. Primary nerve reconstruction or other reanimation techniques give the best long-term functional and cosmetic results. A comprehensive diagnostic evaluation with current imaging and electrophysiological studies will provide the surgeon with the best knowledge of the relationship of the facial nerve to the tumor. Several standardized methods are helpful in finding, dissecting and preserving the nerve during parotid cancer surgery. When radical parotidectomy is indicated, the initial diagnostic work-up can assist in defining the need for adjuvant postoperative therapy and facial reanimation. The aim of rehabilitation is to restore tone, symmetry, and movement to the paralyzed face. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical management of facial paralysis has undergone many improvements in recent years. This review gives an overview of recent advances in the diagnostic work-up, surgical techniques and any necessary rehabilitation of the facial nerve in parotid cancer surgery.

Deep lobe parotidectomy-why, when, and how?

This editorial explores the controversies concerning the surgical management of the deep portion of the parotid gland. Specifically, when should the parotid deep lobe be removed if there is metastatic cancer to a superficial parotid node or when a primary aggressive cancer is found in the superficial lobe? The background, indications, rationale, and results of removing the deep lobe nodes are reviewed. Removal of the deep lobe is done to optimize the oncologic outcome for the patient. Deep lobe parotidectomy plays an important role in the treatment of many parotid gland malignancies.

Prognostic value of comorbidities in patients with carcinoma of the major salivary glands.

This study aimed at evaluating the influence of comorbidities on outcome and survival in patients with carcinoma of the major salivary glands. Medical records of 109 patients with carcinoma of the major salivary glands treated at a single quaternary medical care and cancer center between 2003 and 2015 were reviewed. Comorbidities were classified according to the Age-Adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI) scoring system. 59 patients were males, 50 were females. Median age was 69 years and the median interval between tumor diagnosis and date of study inclusion was 71 months. Most carcinoma arose in the parotid gland (90 patients), and most patients presented with T 1 (25) or T 2 (37) cancer. Mean ACCI score was 2.9, and the most frequent ACCI score was 4. Mean overall survival was 119 months (ACCI 0-3) and 55 months (ACCI score >4), respectively (p = 0.005). Mean disease-free survival (ACCI 0-3) was 110 and 58 months (ACCI > 4), respectively (p = 0.02). Survival was significantly improved in low grade tumors, lower T and UICC stage and lymph node-negative patients. Sex, age, history of smoking and resection margins had no influence on overall survival. High comorbidity is an independent risk factor on overall and disease-free survival in patients with major salivary gland carcinoma. This is the first study evaluating comorbidity using the ACCI scoring system in this group of patients.

Role of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and the Tumor Microenvironment in the Survival of Malignant Parotid Gland Tumors: A Two-Centre Retrospective Analysis of 107 Patients.

Background: This study aims to retrospectively investigate the prognostic significance of the tumor microenvironment, with a focus on TILs (tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes), in relation to survival in a large cohort of patients with parotid gland cancer, and it uses the method proposed by the International TILs Working Group in breast cancer. Methods: We included a cohort of consecutive patients with biopsy-proven parotid cancer who underwent surgery between January 2010 and September 2023. A retrospective review of medical records, including surgical, pathological and follow-up reports, was performed. The density of TILs was determined according to the recommendations of the International TILs Working Group for breast cancer. Results: A weak negative correlation (p = 0.3) between TILs and time of survival and a weak positive correlation (p = 0.05) between TILs and months of survival (high TILs were correlated with longer survival in months) were identified. High TILs were weakly negatively, but not statistically significantly p (0.7), correlated with the grading of tumor; this means that high TILs were associated with low-grade tumors. Conclusions: Contrary to previous preliminary reports, this retrospective work found no statistically significant prognostic role of TILs in parotid gland malignancies. This case series represents the largest cohort ever reported in the literature and includes all malignant histological types. Future larger molecular studies may be useful in this regard.

Comparison of Partial Versus Superficial or Total Parotidectomy for Superficial T1-2 Primary Parotid Cancers.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the oncological outcomes of partial versus superficial or total parotidectomy for superficial T1 or T2 primary parotid cancers and investigate their prognostic factors and recurrence patterns. METHODS: The medical records of 77 patients with T1-2 primary parotid malignancies between May 2003 and March 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic factors associated with overall survival, disease-free survival, and local and distant recurrence. RESULTS: The average follow-up duration was 70.2 months (range, 12-202 months). The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 88.7% and 77.1%, respectively. Twenty-two patients underwent partial parotidectomy, and 55 underwent superficial or total parotidectomy. There were no significant differences in the disease recurrence (P=0.320) and mortality rates (P=0.884) of the partial and superficial or total parotidectomy groups. The mean duration of surgery was shorter and the overall complication rates were significantly lower in the partial group than in the superficial or total parotidectomy group (P=0.049). Sixteen cases of recurrence occurred during the study period (20.8%). Univariate analyses showed that high-grade tumors (P=0.006), lymphovascular invasion (P=0.046), and regional lymph node metastasis (P=0.010) were significant risk factors for disease recurrence. Multivariate analysis identified regional lymph node metastasis as an independent prognostic factor for disease recurrence (P=0.027), and lymphovascular invasion as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (P=0.033). CONCLUSION: The conservative surgical approach of partial parotidectomy can yield oncological outcomes comparable to those of superficial or total parotidectomy with careful patient selection in T1-2 parotid cancers.

Investigation of Parotid Cancer Cases Diagnosed as Bell's Palsy at Initial Presentation: The 23 Year Experience of a Single Institution.

Objective: Facial nerve paralysis due to parotid carcinoma is sometimes misdiagnosed as Bell's palsy. This study aimed to compare patients with parotid carcinoma with and without accompanying facial nerve paralysis and to capture the features of patients misdiagnosed with Bell's palsy. Methods: Among 209 patients, 42 (20%) had facial nerve paralysis. Of these 42 patients, 14 had received treatment for facial nerve paralysis without being diagnosed with parotid carcinoma (pretreatment group); the remaining 28 patients had not received any pretreatment and were diagnosed with parotid carcinoma at the initial visit to our hospital (no pretreatment group). This study compared patients with and without facial nerve paralysis and the pretreatment and no pretreatment groups. Results: The 42 patients with facial nerve paralysis had a significantly higher frequency of pain/tenderness and adhesion with surrounding tissues, significantly higher proportions of deep lobe tumors, and a significantly higher proportion of high-grade malignancy. In addition, the disease-specific and disease-free 5 year survival rates were significantly poorer in patients with than in those without facial nerve paralysis. The comparison between the pretreatment and no pretreatment groups revealed no significant differences in any factors nor survival rate. Five patients in the pretreatment group complained of palpable masses or pain/tenderness at the time of their initial treatment for paralysis. Conclusion: Patients with parotid carcinoma who present with facial nerve paralysis at the initial visit have a significantly poorer prognosis. The number of cases in the pretreatment group can be reduced by performing a detailed examination, which can potentially improve the prognosis.

Functional Outcomes of Single-Stage Facial Reanimation Surgery With Radical Parotidectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Facial nerve sacrifice during radical parotidectomy can impair quality of life. This study assessed the effectiveness of single-stage facial reanimation surgery performed concurrently with radical parotidectomy in restoring facial function. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent single-stage facial reanimation combined with radical parotidectomy. The techniques employed included selective reinnervation and orthodromic temporalis tendon transfer. Outcomes were evaluated using the modified House-Brackmann and Terzis grading systems, Emotrics facial assessment, and the Facial Disability Index (FDI). RESULTS: Among the 13 patients studied (median age, 54 years; 69% male), 10 underwent selective reinnervation. Of these, nine patients demonstrated improvement, achieving House-Brackmann grade III and Terzis grade 4 or 5. The other three patients underwent tendon transfer and achieved moderate functional outcomes. Emotrics analysis revealed balanced facial symmetry in the selective reinnervation group. Furthermore, FDI scores indicated satisfactory physical and social/well-being functions. CONCLUSION: Single-stage facial reanimation effectively restores facial function in patients undergoing radical parotidectomy. This approach offers meaningful benefits in the early recovery of facial function.