A total of 278 patients were treated for parotid masses over a period of 17 years. Most were benign lesions (84%). Histological diagnosis of the specimens in the benign group revealed pleomorphic adenoma in 71 patients (32%), Whartin's tumor in 51 patients (23%), various benign neoplasms in 23 patients (10%) and other benign disease in 79 patients (35%). The malignant group comprised mucoepidermoid carcinoma in 13 patients (30%), squamous cell carcinoma in 12 patients (27%), adenocarcinoma in 6 patients (14%), adenoid cystic carcinoma in 4 patients (9%) and other malignant tumors in 9 patients (20%). Superficial parotidectomy was the most common choice of treatment (82%). The most common complication was temporary facial nerve paralysis (45%). Factors related to facial nerve palsy were a mass larger than 6 cm, malignant tumor and repeated surgery.