Abstract
Introduction: Salivary gland tumor operations are associated with complications including facial nerve dysfunction (FND) and salivary fistula. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of extracapsular dissection (ECD) and the application of Clostridium botulinum toxin (CBT) in contrast to partial and lateral parotidectomy on complications. Methods: All salivary gland tumor operations performed within the last 6 years were retrospectively examined. Data were collected from electronic patient files from our otorhinolaryngology clinic. Total parotidectomies and submandibulectomies were not included in the analysis of CBT application. Results: In total, 418 cases were examined, including 84 (20%) malignant tumors. In total, 18 patients underwent ECD, 93 partial parotidectomy, 199 lateral parotidectomy, 76 total parotidectomy, and 32 submandibulectomy. The most common complication was transient FND (49%; n = 205; data available for 415 patients), which was measured at four days. Additional complications included salivary fistula (n = 56), infection (n = 49), bleeding or hematoma (n = 21). Preoperative facial nerve paralysis (p < 0.0001), pain (p < 0.0001), and a history of squamous cell skin carcinoma (SCC) (p < 0.001) were predictive of malignancy. The application of CBT did not reduce the risk of salivary fistula (p-value: 0.0182) and was associated with a higher combined complication rate (p-value: 0.0199). ECD was not associated with a lower likelihood for FND (p = 0.350). Conclusions: Preoperative pain, facial paralysis, or a history of SCC are predictors of malignancy. Use of CBT was not associated with a reduced risk of salivary fistula, but rather a higher complication rate.