‘Minor’ morbidity after parotid surgery via the modified Blair incision

SummaryObjectiveTo assess the ‘minor’ morbidities subjectively experienced by the patient after parotid surgery; these include scar cosmesis and pain, ‘contour’ deformity following removal of parotid bulk, numbness of the pinna and gustatory sweating.DesignRetrospective studySettingTertiary Referral Centre.Patients28 patients were included in the study.ResultsContour deformity, scarring and paraesthesia of the pinna secondary to great auricular nerve sacrifice are the most noticeable sequelae following parotidectomy.DiscussionAlthough facial nerve injury is the most serious morbidity following parotidectomy, it is relatively uncommon. Other ‘minor’ morbidities are more likely to cause post-operative problems. Despite there being a number of different approaches to the parotidectomy, with or without reconstruction, these have not been satisfactorily compared.