Facial Nerve Monitoring During Parotidectomy: A Case Series

Abstract

The parotid gland constitutes the largest of the salivary glands. It is an irregular lobulated mass located anterior to the ear and is an important anatomical landmark as the facial nerve courses and divides through the parotid gland. These facial nerve branches are at risk during parotidectomy, especially when a parotid mass is involved. In addition to surgeon experience and anatomical knowledge, intra-operative facial nerve monitoring (IONM) is an extremely useful tool in identifying and preserving the facial nerve during parotidectomy and reducing post-operative complications. A retrospective analysis was conducted. Twenty-three patients met inclusion criteria and underwent parotidectomies from 11/20/2012 to 1/13/2023. 14 male and nine female patients with a mean patient age of 63 years were included. All patients underwent intraoperative facial nerve monitoring and had successful procedures without incidence of facial nerve injury or other post-operative complications. Intraoperative Facial nerve monitoring is an incredibly important tool during parotidectomy and can help reduce post-operative complications such as transient and long-term facial nerve weakness. It should be employed during all parotidectomy cases, by surgeon experience, especially when the deeper lobe of the parotid gland is involved or in the case of malignancy. IONM helps reduce post-operative facial nerve weakness post-parotidectomy and should be employed during parotidectomy., quantitative, stress, non-REM sleep.