title: Use of dermis-fat grafts in the prevention of Frey's syndrome after parotidectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the role of dermis-fat grafts in preventing gustatory sweating and in the reconstruction of facial contour defects after parotidectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three patients with tumours of the parotid gland were enrolled in this prospective clinical study from January 2006 to February 2014. All of them were evaluated for wound complications, Frey's syndrome, satisfaction, and tumour relapse. Follow-up periods ranged from 6 to 72 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen patients completed the study. Nine complications observed in six patients were assessed (two haematomas [10%], one seroma [5%], one sialocele [5%], and recurrent pain in five patients [26%]). None revealed Frey's syndrome. Satisfactory results were found in relation to scar, facial contour, and overall outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dermis-fat grafts appear to be an effective method of preventing Frey's syndrome after parotidectomy. The stable long-term results and high patient satisfaction lead to the application of this operation technique in daily routine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Essen, Kliniken-Essen-Mitte, Henricistr. 92, 45136 Essen, Germany. Electronic address: s.baum@kliniken-essen-mitte.de.
authors.forename: Sven Holger
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Baum
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Essen, Kliniken-Essen-Mitte, Henricistr. 92, 45136 Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pförtner
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Essen, Kliniken-Essen-Mitte, Henricistr. 92, 45136 Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Friederike
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ladwein
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Essen, Kliniken-Essen-Mitte, Henricistr. 92, 45136 Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmeling
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Essen, Kliniken-Essen-Mitte, Henricistr. 92, 45136 Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rieger
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Essen, Kliniken-Essen-Mitte, Henricistr. 92, 45136 Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mohr
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020405:Dermis / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013547:Sweating, Gustatory / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dermis-fat graft; Facial contour; Frey's syndrome; Gustatory sweating; Parotidectomy; Reconstruction