title: Questionnaire evaluation of sequelae over 5 years after parotidectomy for benign diseases.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term (more than 5 years) quality of life issues after parotidectomy for the treatment of benign disease. A questionnaire survey was performed after institutional review board approval, on patients who had undergone any type of parotidectomy for benign salivary diseases. Fifty-three patients were surveyed at more than 5 years (the long term group) and 39 patients at 1-2 years after surgery (the control group). The questionnaire included the items on self perception of known sequelae. Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed to determine major sources of discomfort and changes in sequelae over time. Possible factors that contribute to sequelae were also analysed for significance. Frey's syndrome was identified as the most serious self-perceived sequela, and resulting discomfort worsened with time (P=0.01). Scores for other sequelae were similar in the two study groups. Subjective perception of Frey's syndrome was significantly different (P<0.001) according to the extent of surgery, and it was most serious in total parotidectomy cases, even from 1 year postoperatively. Of the sequelae of parotidectomy for benign diseases, Frey's syndrome was of greatest concern to patients, even at more than 5 years postoperatively. Therefore, additional measures which prevent or ameliorate Frey's syndrome are likely to improve long-term quality of life after parotidectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 135-710, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chung-Hwan
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: Man Ki
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Han-Sin
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Young-Ik
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Soo-Chan
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Hyung-Ki
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Nam-Gyu
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Hyun-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Jae Keun
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Jeon Yeob
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Jang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000209:etiology; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013547:Sweating, Gustatory / Q000209:etiology