Facial nerve morbidity after superficial parotidectomy in the absence of nerve conductor

This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Department of Surgery, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro, Pakistan. The average follow-up of the patients was 12 months. The primary outcome was the incidence of temporary or permanent facial nerve injury, while secondary outcomes were wound infection, seroma, hematoma, Frey’s syndrome, salivary fistula and disfigured scar. Temporary facial nerve injury was defined as a feature of facial nerve palsy with full recovery to regular activity within six months. Permanent facial nerve injury was defined as any facial nerve dysfunction lasting beyond six months of operation. The sample size was calculated using the WHO sample size calculator and taking disease prevalence as 7.1 with CI 95%, which turned out to be 101. This sample size was achieved over a period of nine years that is from 1st January 2012 till August 2020. The data was recorded on a predesigned Performa, and patients’ confidentiality was maintained assigning codes to each case known only to researchers. The data was calculated using SPSS version 23.