Parotid duct injury: is immediate surgical repair necessary?

This prospective study investigated the outcome for non-operative management of parotid duct injuries in 19 patients with injury confirmed by the methylene blue method. Nine (47 per cent) healed without complications. Short-term salivary fistulas complicated seven (36.8 per cent) wounds and a sialocele occurred in four (21.1 per cent). All complications resolved without the need for operative intervention. Acute surgical repair of damaged ducts can no longer be recommended, since conservative management of parotid duct trauma is both safe and effective; simple surgical procedures exist for the management of the rare long-term disorders.