Table 6.

Comparison of different surgical techniques to approach to superficial lobe of the parotid gland*

Parameter	Superficial parotidectomy	Partial parotidectomy	Extracapsular dissection
Selection necessary	No	Yes	Yes
Standardized defined approach	Yes	No	No
Experience needed	Low	Moderate	High
Facial nerve monitoring	Recommended	Recommended	Always necessary
Morbidity	Moderate	Low	Low
Long-term data available	High	Moderate	Low

*This is a personal conclusion of the authors based on the literature cited in the text (mainly studies with only moderate evidence) and on their personal experience.