Treatment and Timeframe for Leaking Parotid After Facelift

asked 2 years ago by leaking123 in usa
Latest answer by Kevin Sadati, DO
Question viewed 1,281 times
Tags: drainage, leak

I had a face lift and now have a parotid gland that is leaking. Drain inserted but flow is not decreasing. What is treatment and time frame for this problem?

6 answers to Treatment and Timeframe for Leaking Parotid After Facelift

Parotid Leakage After Face Lift

Dear Facelift patient, I have performed several thousand face lifts and I have had one situation similar to yours, my patient did well after 3 weeks. The treatment of choice was a conservative one. Pressure dressing, drain in place, avoidance of spicy and sour diets, as well as anti-cholinergic medications are proper treatments for leaking parotid gland. Be patience and hang in there, you’ll get better. Good luck and good healing

Kevin Sadati, DO
Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

Salivary leak from parotid following face lift

The parotid flow may encourage persistance of the leak. Therefore avoid diets that promote excessive salivation. Typically numerous drugs with anti-cholinergic side effects may exert anti-sialogogue (ceasing salifvation) effects. You may want to explore some of these medications with your physican.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Parotid fistula

Let me confess. I have been doing face lifts for roughly 18 years now. During an educational session as a resident, one doctor asked about management of this complication, and was rebuffed for getting it at all! Unfortunately, one time I personally had this problem myself with a patient, so I am sympathetic to that doctor, and understanding of your situation. Let me share with you a about this. Treatment options are several. if you are decreasing... more

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Your leaking parotid salivary gland, after facelift surgery, may benefit from a Botox treatment.

I have personally treated parotid salivary collections with serial needle aspirations rather than drainage; but there is no right or wrong way to treat this. Your drainage will likely slow down and finally stop after 2-3 weeks. I think a compression-dressing is helpful, along with manual massage after meals. This will allow the flap to adhere, and stop the leak. Botox treatments to the parotid gland will slow the drainage, and may speed recovery. Please continue close follow-up with... more

Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

Salivary leak

The traditional methods for a sialocele (leaking parotid) include pressure dressings and treatment with anticholinergics (reduces the salivary flow) allowing the leaking duct (tube that carries saliva) to seal. The time frame for the leak to seal varies from patient to patient. Good Luck.

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

You need to give 4-6 weeks to it resolve

If the leakage not resolved in 4-6 weeks, the surgical exploration and ligation of the leaking duct may needed. This a rare condition and time will improve the amount of the leakage. If you can wait ( the drainage does not cause too much skin irritation) the repair will be more successful.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

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