The incidence of Frey's syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
The incidence of Frey's syndrome after parotidectomy greatly varies in the literature. The aim of this study was to analyse the incidence with the help of a new series of patients and to discuss and review the results.


METHODS
372 patients (age: 50.7+/-11.6 yrs) underwent unilateral parotidectomy. In 203 subjects the insertion of a sternocleidomastoideus flap in the parotid area was performed intraoperatively.


METHODS
Patients were followed-up concerning the clinical presence of gustatory sweating and flushing after secretory stimulation, and were questioned about suffering in everyday life.


RESULTS
86 patients (23.5%) developed Frey's syndrome after an average of 12 months (12.3+/-9.9 months) following parotidectomy. Only 44% of the patients with Frey's syndrome were symptomatic. No benefit concerning Frey's syndrome following application of a sternocleidomastoideus flap was seen.


CONCLUSIONS
Gustatory sweating after parotidectomy must still be regarded as an unpleasant and common complication. Nevertheless, it is more the subjective suffering of the patients than the incidence that makes prevention important.
Rustemeyer
Jan
J
Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Klinikum Bremen Mitte, Bremen, Germany. janrustem@t-online.de
Eufinger
Harald
H
Bremerich
Andreas
A
D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000637:transplantation; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013547:Sweating, Gustatory / Q000209:etiology*