The neoplasias of the parotid gland are a heterogeneous group with more than 30 histological kinds already defined, and the pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign tumor. AIM: In this study we present our case of parotid gland pleomorphic adenoma, with the purpose of discussing the clinical presentation, the diagnosis and the more suitable surgical techniques to treat this disorder. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective clinical study was carried out on a group of 68 patients with histological diagnosis of parotid gland pleomorphic adenoma who underwent surgery at the Department of Otolaryngology of the HSPE-FMO, from January 1982 to June 2002. The data regarding their age, sex, more frequent symptoms, supplementary tests performed, location, size, surgical technique used, treatment complications and evolution were gathered. RESULTS: In our case we observed a higher incidence in female patients, being more frequent in their fifth decade of life. The most common clinical presentation was of a nodule at the parotid region, this sign being present in 100% of the cases. Superficial parotidectomy by identifying and preserving the facial nerve was the more common surgery (91.2 % of the cases). The more frequent post-surgical complications were paresis (14.7%) and paralysis (7.3%) of the facial nerve, followed by the Frey's syndrome (4.4%). CONCLUSION: The pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign neoplasia of the parotid gland, being more frequent in female patients from their fifth decade of life. It is a clinically diagnosable neoplasia, to be confirmed with a histopathological examination. The superficial parotidectomy is the basic procedure to diagnose and treat it, being low the recurrence index with this surgery.
parotid; pleomorphic adenoma; parotidectomy
