Prognosis

Prognosis will depend on aetiology. Complete resolution can usually be expected following conservative outpatient management. Pain and erythema associated with acute bacterial sialadenitis should settle within a week if treated with appropriate antibiotics, but mild swelling may persist for longer. If sialoliths are surgically treated, prognosis is good. Symptoms of autoimmune sialadenitis often improve following medical management of the underlying condition (such as Sjogren syndrome).

Certain outcomes are specific to those patients undergoing surgical treatment of chronic sialadenitis of the parotid gland (superficial or subtotal parotidectomy). Following superficial parotidectomy, transient facial nerve palsy occurs in approximately one third to two-thirds of patients;[53][54][55][56] the cosmetic deformity is relatively minor but recurrent symptoms may occur in up to 11% to 13%,[53][55] although not all require further treatment. A subtotal parotidectomy cosmetic defect is more marked and the risk to the facial nerve is probably slightly higher, although this has not been demonstrated.[56] The incidence of recurrent symptoms is possibly lower, <4%,[56] although fewer recurrences occurred with a superficial parotidectomy in this series. The extent of the disease and preferences of the patient will also influence the choice of surgical procedure. The pattern of facial weakness is likely to involve one or more nerve branches and is commonly panfacial,[53][54] because of widespread fibrosis within the gland. Recovery is typically over a 3- to 6-month period and usually complete. Permanent palsy occurs in <1%.[53][54][55][56] The incidence of haematoma, seroma, or significant infection should be <5%.[53][54]

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