A REVIEW OF PAROTID GLAND TUMOURS IN PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA ONOTAI LUCKY, DEPARTMENT OF ENT SURGERY UPTH, PORT HARCOURT RIVERS STATE AND OPARA KINGSLEY DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY IMO STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL ORLU, IMO STATE

BACKGROUND: Among salivary gland tumors, 80% arise in the parotid glands. Parotid tumors pose a challenge to most surgeons both in diagnosis and treatment. This study evaluates the clinical profile and management outcomes of parotid gland tumors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of patients who presented with parotid gland swellings to the department of Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and Kinx Medical consultant clinic in Port Harcourt, over a 7-year period (May 2007 to June 2014) were retrospectively examined. Patients' demographic data, clinical presentation, investigations, surgical management, histological diagnosis and outcome were obtained and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients with parotid tumors were seen out of a total of 3095 patient who had head and neck tumors giving a prevalence of 1.6%. Age range was 20-75 years with a mean of 47.58 (SD ± 11.93) years. The M: F ratio was found to be 1.4:1.The commonest 30 (62.5%) mode of presentation was firm to soft pre-auricular swelling. Five (10.4%) patients were found to be retroviral positive preoperatively. Superficial parotidectomy was the predominant 45 (93.7%) form of surgery carried out while 3 (6.2%) of our patients had total parotidectomy out of which one had reconstruction of the skin around the parotid area with a bilobed random transposition flap. Pleomorphic adenoma was the commonest 41 (85.4%) tumor seen in our series. Immediate post-surgical transient facial nerve palsy was the commonest 40 (83.3%) surgical complication encountered. Post-surgical radiotherapy was recommended to all patients who were found to have malignancies. CONCLUSION: Pleomorphic adenoma was the commonest histopathologic parotid salivary gland tumor that required surgery in our environment while the commonest post-surgical complication was transient facial nerve palsy. To improve the outcome of management of patients with malignancies a standard functional Radiotherapy facility should be established in every tertiary health facilities in the country to enhance cost effective patient management.