Frey's syndrome after parotidectomy: a retrospective and prospective analysis.
Gustatory sweating is a well-known sequela after parotid surgery. In a retrospective and prospective study of patients undergoing parotid surgery, the onset, time course, extent, and treatment modalities of Frey's syndrome were analyzed. Twenty-two percent of the patients evaluated by questionnaires and 43% of the patients followed prospectively within 1 year were found to be symptomatic. Although the Minor starch-iodine test was positive in 38% of patients at 3 months, none of these patients experienced symptoms. Up to 12 months after surgery the rate of patients who tested positive increased to 96% and the total area of sweating expanded to a mean value of 18 cm2. Whereas most of the patients are not markedly disturbed, few patients (5% to 10%) suffer from severe gustatory sweating. These patients present a therapeutic challenge.
Linder
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Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland.
Huber
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Schmid
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D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013547:Sweating, Gustatory / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*