POST OPERATIVE PAROTITIS : A BRIEF OVERVIEW

Postoperative parotitis is a frequent and important complication of major surgery. The majority of infections probably are ductogenous in origin, and the responsible organism is the staphylococcus. Bad oral hygiene, dehydration  Vitamin A deficiency (with attendant atrophy of the epithelial cells of Stenson's duct causing  the lowered resistance of the parotid gland) are responsible for Parotitis. 

Preoperative care should include hydration and oral hygiene.

We routinely start Chlorhexidine mouthwash for all patients before surgery.

Postoperative prophylaxis should consist of continuance of oral hygiene, hydration and the institution of active mastication as soon as possible. Treatment after parotitis has developed should be antibiotics; preferably combination of antibiotics against gram positive bacteria (like penicillin group) and anerobic bacteria (like metronidazole).