Parotid neoplasms represent a diverse group of tumours found in the head and neck. Complications following parotidectomy, including Frey's syndrome, facial nerve paralysis, sialoceles, and parotid fistulae, have been well documented. A retrospective review of 255 patients treated surgically for parotid masses over an 8-year period at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto was reviewed as part of a quality assurance program. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for fine-needle aspiration cytology were analyzed. The incidence of benign and malignant lesions is presented. The complications following parotidectomy are reviewed and in our series are consistent with the figures published in the literature.