An analysis of factors for facial nerve paralysis after surgical treatment for parotid tumour

Objective: To explore the relationship between the rate of facial nerve paralysis and the parotid anatomy methods, different surgical methods, pathological diagnosis, the place that tumor lies and the operation time. Methods: The records of 428 patients with parotid tumours, who were treated from March 2001 to July 2007 at our department, were retrospectively analysed. Results: One hundred and twenty-seven cases of them complicated with facial nerve paralysis and were about 48. There were higher rate with facial nerve paralysis in totalparotidectomy than segmentary parotidectomy or superficial parotidectomy. Higher rate in benign tumor than in malignant tumor. Higher rate in several times than in first time. Higher rate in tumor before auris and behind mandble than that behind and under auris. Facial nerve paralysis were often temporary in benigon tumor, but were forever in malignancy because tumor invaded facial nerve. Conclusion: There were closely relationship between facial nerve paralysis and operation, the parotid anatomy methods, different surgical methods, pathology diagnosis, the tumor location and the operation times.