For many people with parotid gland tumors, surgery performed by a head and neck surgeon is the main treatment. This operation is called a parotidectomy. The parotid gland consists of two lobes: the superficial lobe and the deep lobe. Surgery to remove a tumor in the superficial lobe is called a superficial parotidectomy. Surgery to remove a tumor in the deep lobe — or in both the deep and superficial lobes — is called a total parotidectomy. The two lobes are separated by the facial nerve. Treating parotid gland tumors requires great precision on the part of your surgical team because the facial nerve is nearby. The facial nerve controls your ability to close your eyes, raise your eyebrows, and smile. Preserving the facial nerve is an important priority when removing a parotid gland tumor. The facial nerve is typically identified and protected during a parotidectomy. However, there is a chance that the nerve may be adversely affected by the tumor itself or by the surgical procedure needed to remove the tumor.