Parotid Gland Surgery in India

Parotid Glands

• Parotid glands are located under the skin on each side of the face just in front of the ear with part of it going below the earlobe. The parotid glandis the largest of your salivary glands.
• Parotid glands make saliva which enters the mouth through a duct.
• Saliva is important to lubricate your mouth, help with swallowing, protect your teeth against bacteria, and aid in the digestion of food.
• The gland can be affected by mumps and infection.
• Different types of tumors (benign or malignant) in the Parotid gland are commonly seen in all age groups.

Causes of Parotid Gland Diseases

Salivary gland diseases are due to many different causes. These diseases are treated both medically and surgically.

Indications for Parotid Gland Surgery

Several problems can interfere with the function of the salivary glands or block the ducts so that they can not drain saliva. Following are some of the more common salivary gland problems:

• Chronic Infection: Bacterial infection of the Parotid Gland (Sialadenitis), may result when the duct into the mouth is blocked. Sialadenitis creates a painful lump in the gland and foul-tasting pus drains into the mouth.This is more common in older adults with salivary stones, but it can also occur in babies during the first few weeks after birth. If not treated, salivary gland infections can cause severe pain, high fevers, and abscess (pus collection). Viral infections such as mumps, flu, and others can cause swelling of the salivary glands. Swelling occurs in parotid glands on both sides of the face, giving the appearance of "chipmunk cheeks."
• Tumors of the Parotid Gland: Different types of tumor (benign or malignant) can affect the Parotid Gland. Pleomorphic adenomas most commonly affect the parotid glands. The tumor is usually painless and grows slowly. Pleomorphic adenomas are benign and are more common in women than in men. Warthin's tumor is also benign and affects the parotid gland. Warthin's tumor can grow on both sides of the face and affects more men than women. While most salivary gland tumors are benign, some can be cancerous. Malignant tumors include mucoepidermoid carcinoma, adenocystic carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, low-grade polymorphous adenocarcinoma, and malignant mixed tumor.
• Facial Trauma: The Parotid Gland may be injured by sharp or blunt facial trauma which leads to moderate to severe facial swelling or clear drainage shortly after injury in the region of the Parotid Gland or its duct.
• Salivary Stones: The most common cause of swollen salivary glands, salivary stones are accumulations of crystallized saliva deposits. Sometimes salivary stones can block the flow of saliva. When saliva cannot exit through the ducts; it backs up into the gland, causing pain, swelling ad infection.

Diagnosis of Parotid Gland Problems

A detailed history of the problem is taken in the initial consultation. The doctor also thoroughly examines the patient’s condition which is generally followed by an ultrasound scan if there is a lump.

Other tests, such as a plain X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan or a sialogram may be required. A lip biopsy of minor salivary glands may be needed to identify certain autoimmune diseases.

Parotid Gland Surgery

Treatment for salivary gland problems depends on the cause.

• For stones and other blockages of the ducts, treatment often begins with measures such as manual removal of stones, warm compresses, or sour candies to increase the flow of saliva. If simple measures don't relieve the problem, surgery may be required to remove the blockage and/or the affected gland. Salivary duct stones are uncomfortable, but not dangerous. The stone is usually removed with only minimal discomfort. If the patient has repeated stones or infections, the affected salivary gland may need to be surgically removed.
• Surgery is usually required to remove benign and malignant tumors. Some benign tumors are treated with radiation to keep them from coming back. Some cancerous tumors require radiation and chemotherapy. Surgery may also be needed to treat large cysts.
• Injuries of the Parotid Gland may be treated through different techniques like repair of the duct over a stent, ligation of the duct, and fistulization of the duct into the oral cavity. Radiation has been used in the past to suppress the gland, but use of radiation for benign disease is now avoided.
• Other problems may be treated with medications. For example, bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. Medications can also be prescribed for dry mouth.

Parotidectomy Surgery

The surgery to remove the parotid lump is called a parotidectomy. It is done for tumors of the Parotid Gland and occasionally for recurrent infections of the gland. For benign and low grade malignant tumors, surgery is usually curative without any need for additional therapy. For other malignant tumors, surgery is usually followed by radiation therapy. Occasionally, benign or low-grade malignant tumors that have recurred are treated with completion parotidectomy and radiation therapy. This involves removing either part or all of the Parotid Gland. The operation is usually performed under a general anesthesia, which means that you will be asleep throughout the procedure. A skin incision is made, which runs from the front of the ear curving towards the back of the ear just to the level of the hair line. Most surgeons differ in making the skin cut and tend to extend the cut into the neck. This is nearly the same incision as that used in face-lift surgery and has excellent cosmetic results. At the end of the operation a small drain is placed through the skin to facilitate drainage of blood and tissue fluids. The skin cut is closed with stitches and the drain is removed in 24-48 hours, when you will be able to go home. Stitches will be removed usually after 6 days.

After Parotid Gland Surgery

• Recovery takes an average of 2-4 months. Infection is an unusual problem and settles down with antibiotics in a week or two.
• In some cases there may be a little discharge of saliva through the wound for a week or two. This always gets better.
• Sometimes the skin over the temple sweats during a meal. This is rarely troublesome, but can be treated.
• Sometimes X-ray treatment is needed after the operation.
• Occasionally swellings come back on the operated side or even appear on the opposite side. The patient is examined from time to time after the operation to keep a check on this.

Parotid Gland Surgery in India

The phenomenon of medical tourism is rapidly spreading around the world and for many people in the US, UK and other western countries. India has been their destination of choice for medical and health care. Indian hospitals offer the most advanced diagnostic technologies and treatments available today. Indian doctors and hospitals have immense experience of handling parotid gland treatment and surgery cases. Indian hospitals are similarly ranked to those in the U.S. according to the world health organization.

Cities in India that offers Parotid Gland Surgery at a very affordable price under some of the best surgeons are as follows;

Mr. Daniel Leigh from UK shares Parotid Gland Surgery done in India

Mr. Daniel Leigh from UK

With every treatment being modernized and so many machines available to perform the surgeries mechanically, there are still a few treatments like parotid gland surgery that requires the doctors to use the traditional methods and that is where the experience of the surgeon matters the most. The doctors at Indian Health Guru have a really good track record of performing the traditional surgeries with precision. They would tell you about the risk factors involved and what you should be expecting after the procedure is completed to ensure that you are completely aware and prepared for the treatment, which lessen the amount of complications and risks involved.

Cost of Parotid Gland Surgery in India

A combination of many factors has lead to the recent increase in popularity of medical tourism in India which include rising costs of healthcare in industrialized nations, ease and affordability of international travel, favorable currency exchange rates in the global economy, rapidly improving technology and proven, superior internationally accredited standards of care. Parotid Gland Surgery and treatment is easily available in most of the top hospitals of India. People who travel to India for their medical and surgical needs can get almost immediate access to an endless list of quality, world class affordable medical and surgical procedures at a highly attractive and low cost.

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