The parotid gland is a paired gland found on either side of the head just in front of the ear, and is the largest of the salivary, or spit-producing glands. Other salivary glands include the submandibular glands under the jaw, the sublingual glands under the tongue, and the numerous minor salivary glands throughout the mouth and throat. The parotid gland is primarily responsible for producing saliva in response to a stimulus, such as a sour candy or lemon. Saliva is very important for breaking down starches, has substances to fight infection, and protects the teeth. The parotid gland may have to be removed surgically when there is a benign or cancerous tumor (pleomorphic adenoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, acinic cell carcinoma, etc), or someone has chronic inflammation and repeated infections from salivary stones. Some tumors may cause facial paralysis.
In order to perform parotidectomy, head and neck surgeons must find the facial nerve, which controls a patient’s facial expressions, and remove the gland and tumor from the nerve. Using specialized stimulating instruments, Mount Sinai surgeons are able to monitor the nerve throughout the procedure. If the patient has facial paralysis from a malignant tumor, facial plastic surgeons are able to perform a variety of procedures to help with eye closure and smile. These may include an eyelid weight, gracilis free flaps, nerve transfers, cross-face nerve grafts, masseteric-facial nerve grafts, hypoglossal-facial nerve grafts, temporalis tendon transfer, tensor fascia lata slings, and ectropion repair.
Eric M. Genden, MD, MHCA, FACS Dr. Isidore Friesner Professor and Chair of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs Professor of Neurosurgery and Immunology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Director, Head and Neck Institute-Center of Excellence for Head and Neck Cancer Mount Sinai Health System
Michael Berger, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Division of Otology-Neurotology, Lateral Skull Base Surgery Mount Sinai Health System
Raymond L. Chai, MD Associate Professor, Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Mount Sinai Health System
Mohemmed Nazir Khan, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology Mount Sinai Union Square
Diana N. Kirke, MD Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery The Mount Sinai Hospital
Scott Allan Roof, MD Assistant Professor, Head and Neck Surgery Mount Sinai Health System
Marita S. Teng, MD Professor, Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Mount Sinai Health System
Mark Urken, MD Chief, Division of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Co-Director, Institute for Head and Neck and Thyroid Cancer, Department of Otolaryngology, Mount Sinai Union Square Mount Sinai Health System
Zachary G. Schwam, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Division of Otology-Neurotology, Lateral Skull Base Surgery Mount Sinai Health System
