The Effectiveness of Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Flap in Preventing Frey's Syndrome Following Parotidectomy

Hwang, Jung Ho; Yang, Jae Min; Hong, Sung Kwang; Kim, Beom Gyu; Park, Il Seok; Park, Bum Jung; Kim, Yong Bok; Rho, Young Soo

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Frey's syndrome is one of the potential sequelae of parotidectomy. Various medical and surgical treatments have been used in attempt to avoid this embarrassing condition. Recently, interposing barriers between the overlying skin flap and the parotid bed, such as the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle flap, have been used to prevent this condition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preventive impact of using this flap on the incidence of Frey's syndrome and to identify the degree of severity in this syndrome between the use of SCM flap and no muscle flap. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: 40 patients who underwent superficial parotidectomy from June 1996 to August 2003 were divided into two groups. One group had SCM flap reconstruction (n=20), and the other did not (n=20). A subjective clinical questionnaire and the objective Minor's starch test were used to evaluate the incidence of this syndrome. A grading system was used to divide Frey's syndrome into mild or severe Frey's syndrome to determine its severity. The test of Pearson-x2 was applied. RESULTS: The association between sweating, flushing, or pain and the use of the flap was not significant. Also, there was no significant association with Minor's starch test and the use of the flap. There was a significant association with mild Frey's syndrome and the presence of the flap (p=0.014). CONCLUSION: It would seem that the sternocleidomastoid muscle flap does not reduce the incidence of Frey's syndrome, but does decrease the degree of severity in Frey's syndrome.