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About Dr. Ryan Osborne

Ryan F. Osborne, M.D. is the Director of Head and Neck Surgery at OHNI and is an internationally renowned expert in head and neck oncology. He has developed a special interest for the treatment of parotid gland tumors and focuses on the use of minimally-invasive techniques in the care of patients needing parotid surgery.

• India Medical Mission 2018 - November 1, 2018
• Sleep Disorders: Sleep Apnea and Upper Stimulation Therapy - August 25, 2015
• The Naked Vocalist Podcast Featuring Dr. Reena Gupta - May 27, 2015
• New Therapy for Sleep Apnea – First Sleep Pacemaker placed in California at Osborne Head and Neck Institute. - December 12, 2014
• Boxer’s Ear: Can your ear explode? - December 12, 2014
• Nose Picking (Rhinotillexis) and Septal Perforations: Why I should stop picking my nose…? - November 24, 2014
• Deviated Septum and Septal Perforation - July 28, 2014
• Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia: Nasal Septal Perforation Repair - June 25, 2014
• Dr. Mantle recognized at the Beverly Hills Medical Science Academy Awards - May 8, 2014
• Commonly Misdiagnosed Pathologies: Arteriovenous Malformations - April 9, 2014

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About Dr. Jason Hamilton

Jason S. Hamilton, M.D. is the Director of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for the Osborne Head and Neck Institute based at Cedar-Sinai Medical Towers. Dr. Hamilton has advanced training in plastic and reconstructive surgical techniques involving the face, head, and neck, and limits his practice to the treatment of these areas exclusively.

Question: I had a parotidectomy several years ago and I still have pain around my neck incision and it extends to where my parotid gland used to be. The pain is constant and if I push on that area it is excruciating. The surgeon says that it is all in my head and I am frustrated beyond belief. Do you know what is causing the pain and is there anything I can do to get off of these painkillers.

Discussion:   Severe pain after parotidectomy is uncommon and signals a surgical complication.  Immediately post-operative pain is usually caused from surgical swelling, a large hematoma (blot clot) or infection.  Your surgeon should be alerted immediately as these symptoms are easily controlled with pain medication, drainage of any fluid collections, and antibiotics.  If pain continues even after things have seemed to heal then you may have developed a neuroma.

A neuroma is an aberrant collection of nerve fibers that form a tumor like mass that may attach to normal nerves that where severed during a previous surgery.  This neuroma is often palpable under the skin.  Neuromas are capable of generating  their own pain signals even without agitation or stimulation.  Palpation often causes severe pain symptoms.   Treatment- Surgical excision of the neuroma is curative, however, this procedure should only be performed by a surgeon experienced with revision salivary gland surgery as this procedure carries a high risk of facial nerve paralysis.

At the Osborne Head & Neck Institute, Dr. Ryan Osborne & Dr. Jason Hamilton perform revision surgery daily and have helped many patients with chronic pain after salivary gland surgery find relief.

Key Points:

Symptoms: Severe pain months to weeks after surgery my signal a neuroma

Treatment: Surgical excision of the neuroma is curative.

Surgical Procedure: Surgical experience counts most in these cases because the risk of facial paralysis is higher with revision parotid salivary gland surgery. Find a surgical team who does revision surgery as a specialty such as Dr. Osborne & Dr. Hamilton.

Read patient stories about Dr. Osborne and Dr. Hamilton from the

Salivary Gland Center, at the Osborne Head & Neck Institute.

To learn more about Salivary Gland Surgery and Dr. Ryan Osborne & Dr. Jason Hamilton click here.