title: Use of the SMAS flap for reconstruction of the parotid lodge.
abstract: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the benefits of the SMAS flap in patients with benign tumours of the parotid gland treated by superficial parotidectomy. We carried out a retrospective chart review on 123 patients suffering from benign tumours of the parotid gland admitted to our Institution between March 1997 and March 2010. A superficial parotidectomy was performed in all the cases reported. Our sample was divided in two groups basing SMAS flap reconstruction done (Group 2) or not (Group 1) after superficial parotidectomy. Reconstruction using SMAS flap was accomplished in 64 patients. Chi-square test was used to assess statistical difference between the two groups. The level of statistical significance was P < 0.05. No significant differences concerning hematoma, wound infection and facial paralysis were observed between the first and second group (3.38 vs 1.56% [P > 0.05], 8.47% vs 4.68% [P > 0.05], 5.08% vs 0.00% [P > 0.05]). Transient facial nerve weakness, fistula, dip skin and Frey's syndrome were significantly more frequent without SMAS flap reconstruction (10.16% vs 3.125% [P < 0.05], 13.55% vs 3.125% [P < 0.05], 13.55% vs 3.125% [P < 0.05], 20.33% vs 0% [P < 0.05] respectively). The use of the SMAS flap is able to reduce the cosmetic and functional complications that occur after the removal of a benign tumour of the parotid through the superficial parotidectomy technique, above all, it reduces the occurrence of Frey's syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, Federico II University;
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dell'Aversana Orabona
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, Federico II University;
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Salzano
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, Federico II University;
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Abbate
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, Federico II University;
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Piombino
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, Federico II University;
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Astarita
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery Department, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iaconetta
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, Federico II University;
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Califano
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010306:Parotid Gland; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013547:Sweating, Gustatory / Q000209:etiology
keywords: Facial nerve palsy; Frey syndrome; Parotidectomy; SMAS flap