Deep Lobe Tumor Removal

Distinguished parotid expert, Dr. Babak Larian, and his team of specialists are deeply committed to the safe removal of deep lobe parotid tumors.

An Overview of Deep Lobe Tumor Removal

The parotid gland is made up of two lobes, known as the superficial lobe and the deep lobes, which are separated by the facial nerve. Deep lobe parotid tumors are located in the paraphyngeal space in the neck. This area is located near a number of delicate nerves and blood vessels -- including the carotid artery, jugular vein, facial nerve, and others - presenting a unique set of considerations when removing these types of tumors. For this reason, it is important that patients seek treatment from an extensively trained specialist with experience performing this complex procedure.

The team at the CENTER for Advanced Parotid & Facial Nerve Surgery is vastly experienced in the safe and effective removal of deep lobe tumors. With extensive specialty training and countless successful procedures, Dr. Larian and his team of experts are known for providing the best parotid tumor removal available.

The Deep Lobe Tumor Removal Procedure

Although the exact procedure will be determined by the size and location of the growth, Dr. Larian and his team always use the least invasive method possible to safely and effectively remove deep lobe parotid tumors. We use the micro-parotidectomy incision when the tumor is small and located higher in the deep lobe of the parotid. If the tumor is lower in the deep lobe, then a neck incision is used.

While the incision usually measures just over an inch, it is well hidden in the skin's natural creases. Recovery from a transcervical (neck incision) approach is very quick, and the pain is minimal. The majority of deep lobe tumors are removed through this approach. Rarely, the deep lobe tumor is very large and extends from the lower deep lobe all the way up to the skull. In these circumstances, a larger incision (traditional parotidectomy incision) is needed to access and preserve the facial nerve branches and get to the top of the tumor underneath the skull. Dr. Larian will know if this is a possibility prior to surgery, once he has performed an examination and assessed your MRI.

During the procedure, Dr. Larian will begin by identifying the nerves and blood vessels, thus ensuring their protection and improving the surgical outcome. Dr. Larian will then precisely remove the deep lobe tumor while preserving the facial nerve and surrounding structures. From there, he and Dr. Azizzadeh will reconstruct the area to ensure the patient's cosmetic appearance remains unchanged. Deep lobe parotid tumor removal is commonly performed as an outpatient procedure, with patients being able to eat, speak and move around immediately following surgery.

Risks of Parotid Tumor Removal

When performed by an experienced surgeon, parotid tumor removal is a very safe procedure. However, it's important for patients to be aware that there is a level of risk to the surrounding facial structures that may be affected by the tumor, like the facial nerve.

The patient's risk for complications during parotid tumor removal heightens if the mass is cancerous or involved with the facial nerve. For example, if the facial nerve is intertwined with the deep lobe tumor, there is a rare chance that the nerve cannot be saved. Because an MRI does not reveal the precise relationship between the tumor and the facial nerve, this is a complication that Dr. Larian will only be aware of at the time of the surgery.

In rare cases, injury to the surrounding blood vessels is also a possibility. In addition, some patients develop First Bite Syndrome, a condition in which injury or irritation to the nerves cause the patient to experience a sharp pain with the first bite of each meal. This usually resolves after a bit of time.

All of the complications discussed here are rare occurrences, especially when the parotid tumor removal is performed by an expert parotid surgeon. During your initial consultation, Dr. Larian will thoroughly explain all of the risks involved with the procedure, and ensure you feel completely at ease moving forward.

Meet The Team

Led by board-certified parotid surgeon, Dr. Babak Larian, our team of specialists has decades of experience successfully diagnosing and treating diseases of the parotid glands with minimally invasive procedures. Distinguished by our compassionate care and cutting-edge techniques, the CENTER has developed a reputation for delivering the best parotid tumor surgery available.

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