Deep lobe parotidectomy-why, when, and how?
Kerry D OlsenMiquel QuerRemco de BreeVincent Vander PoortenAlessandra RinaldoAlfio FerlitoPublished in: European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (2017)
This editorial explores the controversies concerning the surgical management of the deep portion of the parotid gland. Specifically, when should the parotid deep lobe be removed if there is metastatic cancer to a superficial parotid node or when a primary aggressive cancer is found in the superficial lobe? The background, indications, rationale, and results of removing the deep lobe nodes are reviewed. Removal of the deep lobe is done to optimize the oncologic outcome for the patient. Deep lobe parotidectomy plays an important role in the treatment of many parotid gland malignancies.