Long-term results of tympanic neurectomy for chronic parotid sialectasis.

BACKGROUND

Chronic parotid sialectasis presents as troublesome recurrent swellings of the parotid salivary gland during swallowing and mastication. The main treatment options are parotidectomy with its associated high morbidity and tympanic neurectomy.

AIM: The aim of this study is to present the long-term results of our experience about tympanic neurectomy for chronic parotid sialectasis.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Twenty two patients underwent tympanic neurectomy (14 males; 8 females) between 1983 and 1999 with an mean follow up of over six years. The hallmark of our surgery is to interrupt as many branches of the tympanic nerve as possible by extensively drilling in the hypotympanum and below the basal turn of cochlea, with removal of the anterior and posterior branches.

RESULTS

17 of the 22 patients had a marked to total reduction in symptoms on follow-up. Four patients were troubled enough to go on to undergo a superficial parotidectomy. There was no significant morbidity associated with the procedure.

CONCLUSION

Tympanic neurectomy performed by an experienced otologist should be the preferred surgical option for chronic parotid sialectasis, with parotidectomy being reserved for those patients who fail to improve.