Objectives: to analyse the incidence of facial nerve dysfunction following parotidectomy and to correlate this with the extent of parotid gland resection, and the pathological diagnosis. Between 2010 – 2014, 35 patients underwent 35 parotidectomies performed by the same surgeon. Results: the incidence of initial postoperative facial weakness was 37,14%, based on the diagnosis and extent of surgery, rates of facial weakness were 23,1%, 30,8% and 46,1% for superficial parotidectomy, total parotidectomy and total parotidectomy associated with a neck dissection respectively. Permanent weakness occurred in 7,7% of patients, recovery of normal facial movements occurred within 6 months in all patients with initial temporary facial weakness.