Single‐surgeon parotidectomy outcomes in an academic center experience during a 15‐year period

OBJECTIVE: As large single‐surgeon series in the literature are lacking, we sought to review a single‐surgeon's experience with parotidectomy in an academic center, with a focused analysis of pathology, technique, and facial nerve (FN) weakness. Benchmark values for complications and operative times with routine trainee involvement and without continuous FN monitoring are offered. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent parotidectomy, performed by D. G. D., for benign and malignant disease between January 2004 and December 2018 at an academic center were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 924 parotidectomies, with adequate evaluatable data were identified. The majority of patients had benign tumors (70.9%). Partial/superficial parotidectomy was the most common approach (65.7%). Selective FN branch sacrifice was rare (12.3%), but significantly more common among patients with malignant pathology (33.8% vs 3.5% for benign, P < .0001). Among patients with intact FN, post‐operative short‐ and long‐term FN weaknesses were rare (6.5% and 1.7%, respectively). These rates were lower among patients with benign tumors (5.4% and 1.3%). Partial/superficial parotidectomy for benign tumors was associated with a low rate of short‐ and long‐term FN weaknesses (2.7% and 0.9%). Mean OR time was 185 minutes. CONCLUSION: This is the largest single‐surgeon series on parotidectomy, spanning 15 years. We demonstrate excellent long‐ and short‐term FN paresis rates with acceptable operative times without regular use of continuous FN monitoring and with routine trainee involvement. These findings may provide valuable insight into parotid tumor pathology, FN outcomes, and feasibility and expectations of performing parotidectomy in an academic setting. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.