Removal of a parotid foreign body by endoscopic surgery-a case report

Backgrounds: Parotid foreign bodies are not common. The majority of cases are caused by trauma. The clinical presentation, symptoms, and duration of discomfort vary among patients and may be challenging to treat.

Case report: In this report, we report a case of a 9-year-old male patient who presented with recurrent abscess formation at the site of a facial wound caused by a tree branch. Ultrasound examination confirmed the presence of a foreign body in the deep lobe of the parotid gland. The foreign body was eventually removed via endoscopic surgery.

Discussion: The preferred treatment for parotid gland foreign bodies is early surgical exploration. Open exploration carries the risk of facial deformity and nerve injury. By using endoscopic surgery to remove the foreign body and clear the infected lesion, the location of the foreign body can be accurately identified, and the risk of facial deformity and injury to the facial nerve associated with open parotidectomy can be reduced.

Conclusion: In cases of foreign bodies retained deep within tissues following traumatic injury, endoscopic surgery offers superior localization of the foreign body while minimizing surgical complications and associated risks.