Parotid gland cancer treatment with partial parotid removal

Partial parotidectomy (removing a part of the parotid gland) has remained among the golden standards of surgical treatment of parotid gland cancer for more than 70 years. The surgery's main idea is to save a part of the parotid gland that can function normally and has not been affected by cancer. Verifying the diagnosis, profound medical check-ups, and patient preparation are necessary before starting partial parotidectomy. Most often, the patient requires general anesthesia before the start of the surgery. Although it is not recommended, there is a chance to utilize local anesthesia during the procedure. During surgery to remove a tumor, doctors will make a small incision above the parotid gland on the face. They will also check surrounding tissues for any signs of affected tissues, mainly lymphatic nodes, and vessels, and remove them if necessary. The main goal is to avoid damaging the nerves, as well as the majority of the parotid gland and major blood vessels, to preserve the functions of these organs and prevent any significant damage to the face or the organ. Partial parotid resection surgery is traditionally associated with fever risks of complications. It has fever contraindications compared to total removal of the parotid gland.