title: Prospective randomised trial of the benefits of a sternocleidomastoid flap after superficial parotidectomy.
abstract: Parotid surgery can cause postoperative facial nerve dysfunction, cosmetic impairment, and Frey's syndrome. Thirty-six patients listed for superficial parotidectomy were entered into a prospective randomised trial to find out if the use of a sternocleidomastoid flap could reduce the incidence of these complications. Partial facial nerve paresis was seen at 3 months in five patients in whom flaps were raised compared with six among those who did not have flaps (P=0.025). There was no difference between the two groups at 1 year. The flap was not associated with an improvement in either subjective (P=0.13) or objective (P=0.12) appearance measured on visual analogue scales. Eight patients in whom flaps were raised described symptoms suggestive of Frey's syndrome, compared with nine patients in whom a flap was not raised (P=0.31). Overall 19 of those who had a flap and 11 of those who did not had a positive starch-iodine test (P=0.21).
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Facial Surgery, Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kayll Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, UK.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kerawala
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McAloney
authors.forename: L F A
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Stassen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013547:Sweating, Gustatory / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome