Impact of greater auricular nerve sacrifice during parotidectomy on quality of life.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Greater auricular nerve (GAN) sacrifice can alter sensation; however, the impact on quality of life (QoL) is unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate patients' QoL following GAN sacrifice versus preservation. METHODS: Patients who underwent parotidectomy from 2010 to 2019 at a single institution completed two QoL surveys. Results between GAN-sacrificed versus preserved cohorts and short (≤ 1 year) versus long-term (> 1 year) follow-up were compared. RESULTS: Of 404 patients, 67 with known GAN status completed the surveys. GAN-sacrificed patients more frequently experienced sensation loss of the lobule and concha than GAN-preserved patients (P = .042 and P = .041, respectively). Interference with daily activities or amount of regained sensation was not different based on GAN status. Short-term follow-up patients had a higher number of symptoms and affected areas than long-term follow-up patients (P = .014 and P = .002, respectively). CONCLUSION: GAN sacrifice leads to sensation loss of the lobule and concha; however, it does not significantly impair QoL.