A 50-year-old man is scheduled for a superficial parotidectomy due to a benign tumor in the superficial lobe of his parotid gland. The surgeon explains the procedure to him, emphasizing the extent of the gland removal.
In a superficial parotidectomy:
A. Only a part of the superficial lobe is removed
B. The superficial lobe is removed completely
C. The deep lobe is removed completely
D. The whole of the superficial lobe and part of the deep lobe of the gland is removed
Answer:
The Correct Answer is: B. The superficial lobe is removed completely
Explanation:
The superficial lobe is removed completely (B):
– In a superficial parotidectomy, the entire superficial lobe of the parotid gland is removed. This is typically performed when a tumor is located within the superficial lobe of the gland.
– The facial nerve is carefully preserved during this procedure, as it runs through the parotid gland and can be at risk of damage.
Explanation of Incorrect Options:
Only a part of the superficial lobe is removed (A):
– This statement is incorrect as a superficial parotidectomy involves the complete removal of the superficial lobe, not just a part of it.
The deep lobe is removed completely (C):
– A superficial parotidectomy does not involve the removal of the deep lobe. The deep lobe remains intact unless a more extensive procedure, such as a total parotidectomy, is indicated.
The whole of the superficial lobe and part of the deep lobe of the gland is removed (D):
– This statement describes a more extensive procedure than a superficial parotidectomy. A superficial parotidectomy specifically targets only the superficial lobe, without involving the deep lobe.
In conclusion, in a superficial parotidectomy, the superficial lobe is removed completely, making option B the correct answer.