Sarcouncil Journal of Medical Series

Abstract: Objective:Parotidectomy is a significant operation for benign and malignant parotid gland disease. The study aimed to recruit clinical outcomes, to determine post-parotidectomy complications, assess health-related quality of life, and identify risk factors affecting postoperative recovery. Methodology: A cross-sectional study in the 94 patients who were subjected to parotidectomy for benign and malignant diseases of the parotid gland (partial parotidectomy with 60 cases vs. total parotidectomy with 34 cases) in Karbala, Iraq hospitals for the period March 2024 - March 2025. We involved all the clinical data in the patients suffering from benign and malignant of parotid gland conditions, surgical outcomes, and post-operative complications. It assessed facial nerve function (House-Brackmann grading) and quality of life (POI-8 questionnaire). Risk factors were assessed with univariate logistic regression. Results: This study included patients with ages 23 - 52 years, of whom 57.4% were males. Total parotidectomy was linked to more complications (41.2% vs. 20%), longer hospital stay (4.0 vs. 2.5 days), and greater facial nerve dysfunction (23.5% Grade II+ vs. 10%) when compared with partial parotidectomy. Malignant tumors recurred more (37.5% vs. 5.1%). Partial parotidectomy patients also experienced better POI-8 scores (pain: 1.5 vs. 2.8) than total parotidectomy patients. In addition, risk factors in our study, viz., each of Age >45 (OR=2.1), malignancy (OR=3.5), and smoking (OR=2.2), were significant predictors of poor outcomes (p<0.05). Conclusion:Partial parotidectomy is associated with fewer complications, faster recovery, and better quality of life compared to total parotidectomy. Malignancy, older age, and smoking are significant risk factors for unfavorable outcomes. Preoperative counseling and personalized surgical techniques are recommended to enhance outcomes.