# Will I get facial paralysis after salivary gland surgery?

> The facial nerve runs through the parotid gland: why salivary gland surgery can weaken the face, the signs of facial paralysis, and how a nerve monitor helps.

Source: https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/blog/facial-paralysis-after-salivary-gland-surgery/  
Updated: 2026-09-30

Blog · [Salivary glands](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/blog/#salivary)

By: [Prof. Dr. Ayşenur Meriç Hafız](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/about/) · Translated from the original Turkish article.

Diagram The facial nerve runs through the parotid gland and branches to the muscles of the face; parotid surgery protects it carefully.

Tumours in the salivary gland tend to form very close to, and sometimes on top of, the facial nerve, which makes salivary gland operations a rather risky and delicate type of surgery. For this reason, surgery to remove salivary gland tumours carries a high risk of damaging the facial nerve, which can result in complete or partial facial paralysis.

The signs of facial paralysis are being unable to blink, raise the eyebrows, close the eyes or smile.

Facial nerve paralysis is a common complication that can be encountered after salivary gland surgery, even with benign lesions. This complication has a significant negative effect on the patient’s quality of life; it is therefore very important to know the risk factors before the operation and to choose an experienced surgeon.

A good surgeon must have a thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the face, including the salivary gland and the facial nerve. Knowing and understanding the position of the facial nerve in relation to the salivary gland tumour is the first prerequisite for avoiding damage to the nerve.

In addition, an experienced surgeon should always use a facial nerve monitor during surgery, which helps to identify the main nerve trunk and to follow the branches of the nerve, and thereby make sure that the facial nerve and its branches are not damaged.

[Read more in Treatment areasRecovery After Salivary Gland Surgery](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/treatments/salivary-glands/recovery-after-salivary-gland-surgery/)

The outcomes of surgical and medical procedures vary from person to person; consult your doctor for an assessment specific to you.

## More on this topic

- [What is a salivary gland tumour? Causes and symptoms](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/blog/salivary-gland-tumour-causes-and-symptoms/)
- [Salivary gland tumours: diagnosis, treatment and the risks of surgery](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/blog/treatment-of-salivary-gland-tumours/)
- [Why does a salivary gland swell?](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/blog/why-does-a-salivary-gland-swell/)

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