title: Superficial musculoaponeurotic system flap in partial parotidectomy and clinical and subclinical Frey's syndrome. Cosmesis and quality of life.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Frey's syndrome (FS), facial depression, and noticeable scar may have an impact on patient's quality of life after a parotidectomy. The superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) flap has been used to ameliorate those effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-seven consecutive parotidectomies were analyzed; SMAS flap was performed in 26 of them. We investigated clinical FS, subclinical FS, and cosmetic satisfaction, and compared SMAS flap versus cases where this was not done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By performing the SMAS flap, the occurrence of clinical FS was reduced; however, there was no significant difference. Nonetheless, there was a significant difference in the perspiration intensity in favor of the group with SMAS flaps. In the cases we studied, the cosmetic satisfaction was high, even though facial contour-filling techniques were not used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Provided that the intensity of sweating is the main factor affecting the quality of life after surgery in patients, performing a SMAS flap renders the intervention worthwhile.
authors: Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Barberá
authors: Felipe
authors: F
authors: Castillo
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: D'Oleo
authors: Susana
authors: S
authors: Benítez
authors: Ignacio
authors: I
authors: Cobeta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064827:Myocutaneous Flap / Q000098:blood supply*; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013547:Sweating, Gustatory / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Frey's syndrome; gustatory sweating; musculoaponeurotic system flap; parotid neoplasm; parotidectomy