Botched Lower Face Lift 18 Months Ago Left Me a Possible Leaking Parotid Gland?

I had a lower face lift 18 months ago, and my PS said the swelling in my cheek that followed was a hematoma that would go away on its own. It hasn't, so I posted here asking about it. The responses were, it could be my parotid gland didn't seal properly and it's causing leakage. I read a few things on this site and they all seem to say if a leaking parotid is the issue, it should have gone away by now. Since it hasn't, what treatment options are available 18 months after the surgery?

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by Irishspice

Doctor Answers (5)
Community Comments (1)

Parotid Gland Injury 18 Months Following Facelift

If there is a parotid gland injury, the fluid, if present, can be sent to the lab for diagnosis. Botox and antisialogogues can be used to help with this, but a more formal procedure may be needed in a parotid fistula or duct injury. Kenneth Hughes, MD facelift Los Angeles, CA

Lower facelift swelling

Dear Irishspice, Using a needle and syringe to pull the fluid out would help identify it You can even send the fluid for salivary enzymes to diagnose parotid injury That would be the first step If it is a parotid injury, Botox can be injected into the gland to slow saliva production (no surgery at first) Best regards, Nima Shemirani

Sialocele after face lift

A persistent parotid fistula requires intervention at this point. In many cases, it can be managed medically by placing you on drying agents and pressure but this far out it will likely require surgery. You will need to seek consultation with a head and neck surgeon for evaluation and treatment. You will likely require imaging studies as well to better identify consistency and source of this collection.

Botched Lower Face Lift 18 Months Ago Left Me a Possible Leaking Parotid Gland?

An injury to the gland may have healed by now but perhaps it's an injury to the Parotid duct that's not prone to such easy resolution. You might want to see an ENT surgeon for evaluation of the duct and gland.

Face lift

It is best to get another in person opinion. The diagnosis of parotid fistula, or injury to stenson duct is very difficult to do without seeing you. There are some tests that can be done to confirm such diagnosis.

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Comments (1)

Irishspice 4 Feb 2013

I recently had an MRI done of this area and was told I have a parotid cyst. I have been trying the Gaston Technique trying to get it to break down. The scar tissue under the skin seems to have smoothed out, but I still have the visible lump in my cheek. What type of surgery would be necessary to fix this issue Dr. Hughes?

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