Fluorescein sodium-guided surgery of parotid gland tumors as a technical advance

BACKGROUND Complete tumor removal and preservation of the facial nerve are essential in parotid gland surgery. A technical adjunct that potentially enhances the contrast between the facial nerve and the adherent tumor tissue and allows to identify residual tumor tissue could be Fluorescein Sodium. METHODS Retrospective chart analysis on 7 patients with benign parotid gland lesions that were operated using Fluorescein Sodium intravenously and the application of the YELLOW 560 nm filter of the operating microscope. Safety and feasibility were evaluated. RESULTS All tumors showed fluorescence and the rating ´contrast-enhancing´ was assigned in all cases. In 2 patients, satellite nodules were identified and resected meaning that the fluorescence staining of the tumor margins was significantly better than under white light. CONCLUSION The use of Fluorescein Sodium in parotidectomy is promising. In two cases residual tumor was detected that would have been left behind under white light. Further research in parotid gland surgery and other head and neck tumor procedures is warranted.