[Frey syndrome after lateral parotidectomy. Follow-up and therapeutic outlook].
BACKGROUND
Gustatory sweating is a common complication of parotid surgery.


METHODS
In order to evaluate the incidence of Frey's syndrome following superficial parotidectomy, 69 patients who underwent surgery due to adenoma were studied. Forty-three patients (62%) suffered from gustatory sweating following superficial parotidectomy, and 33 of them requested treatment. Nineteen patients felt that their quality of life had been decreased by the symptoms.


RESULTS
Minor's starch iodine test proved that 85% of the patients who did not notice Frey's syndrome after surgery actually had a subclinical manifestation. Eight patients were successfully treated with intracutaneous injections of botulinum toxin A. Within 1 week gustatory sweating disappeared.


CONCLUSIONS
Frey's syndrome is present in almost all patients following superficial parotidectomy and there is a strong need for treatment. Intracutaneous injection of botulinum toxin A is an effective treatment in severe cases of the syndrome.
Küttner
C
C
Klinik und Poliklinik für Mund-, Kiefer- und Gesichts-Chirurgie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover. Kuettner.Christian@mh-hannover.de
Berens
A
A
Tröger
M
M
Keil
C
C
Eckardt
A
A
D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013547:Sweating, Gustatory / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A