Function-Preserving Surgery for Parotid Tumors: Intracapsular Versus Superficial Parotidectomy; A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Function-Preserving Surgery for Parotid Tumors: Intracapsular Versus Superficial Parotidectomy; A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Benign parotid gland tumors, such as pleomorphic adenoma and Warthin tumors, constitute the majority of salivary gland neoplasms. Surgical excision remains the primary treatment, traditionally achieved through superficial parotidectomy (SP). However, SP may lead to complications such as facial nerve dysfunction, Frey's syndrome, and aesthetic concerns. Intracapsular parotidectomy (ICP), a minimally invasive alternative, aims to minimize surgical morbidity while preserving oncologic safety. This study aimes to compare intracapsular parotidectomy and superficial parotidectomy in terms of operative efficiency, complications, facial nerve preservation, and tumor recurrence for benign parotid tumors.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age between 20 and 65 years,
• radiologically and clinically confirmed benign parotid tumor
• tumor confined to the superficial or deep lobe without evidence of facial nerve involvement.

Exclusion Criteria:

• suspicion of malignancy based on imaging or fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)
• recurrent parotid tumors
• previous parotid surgery
• facial nerve dysfunction preoperatively
• comorbidities precluding surgery.