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Frey's Syndrome After Parotidectomy: A Retrospective and Prospective Analysis
Author(s) -
Linder Thomas E.,
Huber Alex,
Schmid Stephan
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-199711000-00013
Subject(s) - parotidectomy , medicine , surgery , facial nerve
Gustatory sweating is a well‐known sequela after parotid surgery. In a retrospective and prospective study of patients undergoing parotid surgery, the onset, time course, extent, and treatment modalities of Frey's syndrome were analyzed. Twenty‐two percent of the patients evaluated by questionnaires and 43% of the patients followed prospectively within 1 year were found to be symptomatic. Although the Minor starch‐iodine test was positive in 38% of patients at 3 months, none of these patients experienced symptoms. Up to 12 months after surgery the rate of patients who tested positive increased to 96% and the total area of sweating expanded to a mean value of 18 cm 2 . Whereas most of the patients are not markedly disturbed, few patients (5% to 10%) suffer from severe gustatory sweating. These patients present a therapeutic challenge.