KARACHI: Medical experts have cautioned that delayed diagnosis and improper surgical management of parotid gland tumours — particularly complex or malignant types — can lead to permanent facial nerve damage and pose serious risks to patients' lives. The warning came during the Parotid Gland Diseases Day seminar held at Dow Medical College, a constituent institution of the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), in collaboration with the Directorate of Global Engagement and the ENT Department of Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi.
The academic event aimed to raise awareness among postgraduate trainees in ENT, general surgery, maxillofacial surgery, and BDS about the latest diagnostic techniques and surgical advancements in managing parotid gland disorders.
Two keynote lectures — Diagnosis of Parotid Gland Tumours and Challenges in Parotid Gland Surgery — addressed critical issues including diagnostic dilemmas, intraoperative nerve preservation, and post-operative complications. Experts emphasized the need for early intervention, precision surgery, and multidisciplinary collaboration for better outcomes in complex parotid cases.
A highlight of the event was a poster exhibition featuring clinical research conducted over just six months. Case studies from various institutions, including the Aga Khan University, were presented. Among them, two entries from postgraduate trainees of ENT Unit-I, Civil Hospital Karachi, received awards for best research posters.
DUHS Vice Chancellor Prof. Jehan Ara Hassan presided over the event, which also saw participation from leading figures in the medical community, including Dow Medical College Principal Prof. Saba Sohail, Director PDC Dr. Farjad Sultan, and senior ENT surgeons Prof. Umar Farooq, Prof. Shaheen Malik, and Prof. Murtaza Ahsan. International faculty member Dr. Shadaba Ahmed, visiting from the United Kingdom, also attended.
The session was moderated by Prof. Dr. Zeba Ahmed, Head of the ENT Department, while Dr. Tahmina Junaid coordinated the event. Organisational support was extended by the Directorate of Global Engagement.
Speakers underscored the importance of such academic forums, not only as training platforms but also as catalysts for collaborative research and innovation. Parotid Gland Diseases Day reaffirmed DUHS’s commitment to advancing medical education, research, and community health standards.
