What type of parotidectomy involves removing all parts of the gland superficial or lateral to the facial nerve?

A superficial parotidectomy is defined by the surgical removal of all the glandular tissue that lies superficial to the facial nerve. This procedure generally preserves the nerve while eliminating affected or benign tissue from the parotid gland. The goal is to address conditions like pleomorphic adenomas while minimizing the risk of nerve damage, which is paramount in such delicate surgeries.

In contrast, total parotidectomy involves the complete removal of the entire parotid gland, including both superficial and deep components, regardless of the position of the facial nerve. This approach is more extensive and is typically reserved for more significant pathological conditions, often when there is a suspicion of malignancy.

Radical parotidectomy goes even further by not only removing the parotid gland but also potentially including surrounding structures such as lymph nodes, based on the extent of the disease. This type of surgery is undertaken in cases with a confirmed malignancy spread.

Lateral parotidectomy is not a standard term in parotid surgery; rather, it might refer to a more generalized approach but lacks the specificity that characterizes the other defined types of parotidectomies.

Thus, the definition and approach associated with superficial parotidectomy makes it the correct choice for