Objective: To investigate the prevention of Frey syndrome after parotidectomy.
Methods: A prospective cohort study of 100 patients with parotid cancer who received parotid surgery was underwent in our hospital from 2001 to 2004. These patients were assigned to two groups, study group (50 cases) and control group (50 cases). The patients in the study group received parotidectomy and intraoperative placement of collagen pieces within the parotid bed, between the skin flap and the facial nerve. The patients in the control group received a conventional parotidectomy and no collagen pieces was implanted. All of the patients were followed-up and were evaluated for Frey syndrome with identical questionnaires.
Results: Compared with control group, the incidence rate of Frey syndrome was significantly decreased in the study group (20% vs 60%, chi(2) = 15.04, P < 0.001). Postoperative incidence of facial contour apparent deformity was 80% (40/50) in control group and 44% (22/50) in study group (chi(2) = 12.26, P < 0.001).
Conclusions: Use of collagen pieces as an interposition fill barrier improves parotidectomy outcome by reducing the incidence of Frey syndrome, and it improves cosmetic results concurrently.