The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Parotidectomy
SURGERY TO REMOVE YOUR PAROTID GLAND
HCA UK provides parotid gland surgery to treat and diagnose problems with your parotid gland.
Removing a parotid gland
You have two parotid glands in your neck, and they are part of a group of glands which produce saliva.
Sometimes lumps, nodules and cysts (abnormal growths of parotid gland tissue) can develop on your parotid gland and require removal via parotid gland surgery (parotidectomy).
Need to know
If you have parotid gland growths, your GP or consultant may recommend a parotidectomy. Although most abnormal growths are benign (non-cancerous), they should always be assessed.
Depending on the extent of your condition, the whole parotoid gland may be removed, or sometimes just the growth will be removed.
Parotidectomy will be performed under general anaesthetic. The consultant will make a large cut from your ear and down your neck and some nerves to your skin will also be cut. After all or part of your parotoid gland has been removed, the area will be closed with stitches or staples and a plastic drain tube may also be left in place.
Parotidectomy is generally a very safe procedure, however as with any surgery or treatment, there are some risks and side effects involved, including: facial weakness and numbness of the face and ear. Your consultant will explain these to you in more detail and answer any questions you might have.
Parotid gland surgery usually takes between one and two hours in theatre.
We will let you know in advance how long to avoid eating and drinking before your surgery.
After the procedure, you will be taken to the recovery unit, where our dedicated team will look after you. You’ll be given pain relief medication if needed.
After the procedure, the plastic drain tube will stay in place for between 24 and 48 hours before being removed.
Your consultant or specialist nurse will let you know when you can leave the hospital and will also advise you on how to best manage your ongoing treatment and pain relief. It’s important to avoid all moderate and heavy physical activity for up to 10 days after surgery, and you may be required to take up to two weeks off work.
Our Parotidectomy locations
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Christie Private Care
Wilmslow Road M20 4BX Manchester
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
Leaders in Oncology Care
95-97 Harley Street W1G 6AF London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Sydney Street Outpatients
102 Sydney Street SW3 6NR London
The Physicians' Clinic
14 Devonshire Street W1G 7AE London
The London Gamma Knife Centre
Platinum Medical Centre, Lodge Road NW8 7JA London
The Wellington Hospital Outpatients
15 - 17 Lodge Road NW8 7JA London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.