Value of Routine Follow-Up After Pleomorphic Adenoma Surgery

Objective: Pleomorphic Adenoma (PA) is the most common benign salivary gland tumor. The need and duration of follow-up post resection is debatable. The aim of our study was to examine the need for routine follow-up after PA resection. Methods: Retrospective case-series analysis of adult patients with PA, between 1990 and 2023. Numbers of office examinations, imaging studies, time from first surgery to recurrence and recurrence detection modality were collected. Results: Overall, 301 patients had undergone surgery for PA, of which 28 experienced recurrence (9.3%). Mean time from surgery to first recurrence was 119.5 months (range, 33–274). Of the 40 recurrences, 36 were self-discovered (90%), 2 by clinical examination (5%) and 2 by imaging (5%). A total of 618 office examinations and 155 imaging studies were performed. Conclusions: Routine examinations and imaging appear to be of low yield in most PA patients, specifically in the first 3 years. Patients should be counseled about self-detection and ominous symptoms necessitating evaluation.