HCM CityA 52-year-old patient with a parotid gland tumor was operated on to preserve 5 nerve branches, avoiding facial paralysis, and shortening the time by half compared to usual.
On the morning of May 10, Mr. Tran Thanh Vu (5 years old, An Giang) had a re-examination with MSc Doctor Doan Minh Trong (Head - Face - Neck Unit, Department of Breast Surgery, Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City). The parotid wound healed well, the stitches left no scars. The pathology results showed that the tumor was benign.
In 2020, he found that the right earlobe had a small nodule, thought it was normal, but it did not come out. By 2021, the tumor is larger than 0,5 mm, but he is afraid to go to the doctor due to the complicated Covid-19 epidemic. Recently, the nodule has grown into a raised lump on the surface of the skin. Fearing cancer, he went to the hospital for a checkup.
The doctor examines, feels the tumor does not move, diagnoses parotid adenoma, so ultrasound is indicated. The results recorded a 4 cm tumor compressing the nerve that controls the muscles of the face (the VII nerve) and indicated surgery.
Doctor Trung (leftmost) surgically removed the parotid gland tumor for the patient. Image: Nguyen Tram
With 25 years of experience, Dr. Trung assessed: "This is a difficult surgery, because if not skillfully dissected, the patient will have facial nerve paralysis, causing facial distortion and facial paralysis".
On the morning of May 3, the surgical team cut the superficial lobe of the parotid gland for Mr. Vu. Doctor Trung separates the facial nerve from the parotid gland tissue and the tumor while ensuring that the 5 nerve branches are as small as a thread, and at the same time remove the entire tumor. The support of a new generation of American ultrasound knives helps doctors burn, cut and weld to stop bleeding and prevent exudation during surgery.
The patient did not lose a lot of blood, cut the surgery time by half (only 1,5 hours) compared to using a conventional scalpel, did not have facial weakness, and recovered quickly. In the first hours after surgery, the patient did not bleed, reduce secretions and collect fluid, no pain, eat normally. After 18 hours, the patient had no complications and was discharged on 5/5.
The parotid gland tumor is healed, leaving no scars. Image: Nguyen Tram
Mr. Vu shared: “Many people say that I should not have surgery but take traditional medicine and apply leaves to destroy the tumor. But when the doctor explained the condition, I decided to have surgery." Doctors recommend not to use methods such as rituals, applying leaves, taking folk medicines... that cause infection to lead to dangerous complications.
The parotid gland is the largest salivary gland in the body located in the outer region of the face, near the angle of the jaw on each side, surrounding the facial nerve, the external vein and the terminal branches of the external carotid artery. . In addition, the body also has salivary glands under the jaw, under the tongue and accessory salivary glands scattered throughout the oral cavity. Parotid adenomas account for 80% of salivary gland tumors, of which 20% are malignant.
Many tumors are benign but large in size, causing difficulty swallowing, compressing the facial nerve leading to facial paralysis. Most parotid tumors, whether benign or malignant, have an indication for surgery. The extent of surgery depends on the nature of the tumor and the doctor's recommendation. When detecting abnormality, suspecting a tumor, the patient should visit the doctor for timely monitoring and treatment, to avoid permanent facial nerve paralysis.
Nguyen Tram
* Patient name has been changed.
