Patient Nguyen Thi Hao (67 years old, Thai Binh) suffers from a tumor in the parotid gland located deep, closely encompassing the branches of the No. 7 nerve - the nerve that controls facial muscle movement.
Prof. Dr. Le Minh Ky, University Medical Center Hospital - Vietnam National University, Hanoi (Linh Dam facility) said: the tumor develops between two parts of the parotid gland, interwoven with facial nerve branches, so surgery poses a high risk of facial paralysis if performed incorrectly. Patients may experience unsightly eyes, misaligned mouth, affecting eating, communication and aesthetic functions.
After more than 2 hours of microsurgery, doctors completely removed the tumor with a size of more than 3 cm, while preserving intact the No. 7 nerve. After surgery, the patient had normal facial muscle movement, closed eyes, a balanced smile, no complications and was discharged from the hospital after 4 days of treatment.
Experts recommend that umbilical cord tumors often develop silently, causing little pain, so they are easily overlooked. When abnormal swelling appears in the corner of the jaw or under the ear, people should go to specialized medical facilities for examination, diagnosis and timely treatment, to avoid letting the tumor grow large, making surgery complicated.
