SMAS flap for extracapsular dissection of parotid gland tumors: is it necessary?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective article is to evaluate postoperative outcomes after extracapsular dissection for small benign superficial parotid neoplasms (<3 cm) in patients who received Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System (SMAS) flap and in patients who did not receive it. METHODS: Two groups were created and statistically compared regarding Frey's syndrome and aesthetic satisfaction by data collected through the POI-8 validated questionnaire and through an aesthetic satisfaction scale ranging from 1 to 10. The difference between these two groups was the utilization of SMAS flap. SMAS flap was harvested in one of these two group, meanwhile was not used in the other. RESULTS: The p-value analysis between group 1 and group 2 on these complications, resulted statistically not significant. Also, the aesthetic satisfaction resulted not statistically significant between group 1 and group 2. Gender, localization, and facial palsy resulted statistically correlated with the aesthetic satisfaction (p-value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, there is no statistical difference in the use of SMAS flap for benign parotid neoformations of the superficial lobe, with a diameter of less than 3 cm for which extracapsular dissection is adopted as a surgical technique.

Sternocleidomastoid muscle flap in preventing Frey's syndrome after parotidectomy: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Parotidectomy is a common procedure and Frey's syndrome (gustatory sweating) is a common side effect. The current literature was assessed concerning the effectiveness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) flap to prevent Frey's syndrome after parotidectomy. METHODS: A bibliography search was conducted for studies published between 1966 and 2010 and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or cohort studies with patients undergoing parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation. The outcome measures of particular interest were the incidence of Frey's syndrome and cosmetic impairment. RESULTS: In all, 12 studies were selected (1 meta-analysis of all interventions to prevent Frey's syndrome, 2 RCTs, and 9 cohort studies). The trials were too heterogeneous to perform a meta-analysis on the effect of the SCM flap. The results reported by the authors of each study suggest an objective decrease in Frey's syndrome when the SCM flap was used, but there was no difference in the patients' subjective reporting of symptoms. However, this conclusion is prone to the biases inherent in these studies, and thus overall it is impossible to make any recommendation. CONCLUSION: Current reported evidence is inconclusive as to the use of SCM muscle flap as an intervention to prevent Frey's syndrome following parotid surgery.

Síndrome de frey: revisión de literatura / Frey syndrome: review of the literature

El síndrome de Frey descrito inicialmente en 1923, es también conocido como Síndrome de la sudoración gustativa o Síndrome del Nervio aurículotemporal (N.auriculotemporalis), ya que las lesiones cutáneas asociadas a éste aparecen en la zona inervada por esta rama del nervio maxilar inferior (N. Mandibulares). Se caracteriza por sudoración gustativa y eritema en la región cervico-facial como respuesta a estímulos gustativos y excepcionalmente táctiles, pudiendo surgir como una complicación tras cirugía de la glándula parótida (parotidectomía), traumatismos o infección supurativa de esta glándula, como consecuencia de un daño ocasionado en las fibras parasimpáticas del nervio aurículotempora (N.auriculotemporalis). Los síntomas de sudoración y enrojecimiento de la piel suelen desarrollarse lentamente y resultan muy molestos. El tratamiento consiste en la colocación de anticolinérgicos locales o sistémicos, interposición de diversos materiales como colgajos regionales, tal como el músculo esternocleidomastoideo o la fascia temporoparietal

Frey's syndrome described initially in 1923, is also known as gustatory sweating syndrome or Auriculotemporal nerve Syndrome, since the cutaneous injuries associated with this one appear in the area supplied by this branch of the mandibularis nerve. It is characterized by gustatory perspiration and erythema in the cervico-facial region as response to gustatory and exceptionally tactile stimulation, being able to arise as a complication after surgery of the parotid gland (parotidectomy), traumatism or supurative infection of this gland, as consequence of a damage caused in the parasympathetic fibers from the auriculotemporal nerve. The symptoms of perspiration and reddening of the skin use to develop slowly and turn out to be very troublesome. The treatment consists of the placement of local or systemic anticolinergics, interposition of diverse materials as regional muscle flaps, such as the esternocleidomastoid muscle or the fascia temporoparietal

[Frey syndrome secondary to submaxillectomy and botulinic treatment]. / Síndrome de Frey por submaxilectomía y tratamiento con toxina botulínica.

A case of Frey syndrome (FS) secondary to submaxillar gland exeresis is presented and the results of the treatment with botulinum toxin (BTX) type A. FS is a condition of sweating cheek and preauricular area during realtime as a sequel detected in about 20-60% of patients after parotidectomy. The clinical symptoms include swelling, flushing and hyperhidrosis. The treatment choice for this condition is intracutaneous injection of BTX type A which blocks acetylcholine release at the sweat glands. A 30-year-old man, with thyroid medullar carcinoma diagnosed in 2002 received 6 cicles of cisplatin plus doxorubicin previous to the thyroidectomy with anterolateral neck dissection. During surgery the left ramus marginalis mandibulae was damaged. Two years later the patient referred sweating in submaxillar region during meals. CT scan demonstrated the absence of left submaxillar gland. Minor's test disclosed the affected area and BTX type A was injected (2.5 U/cm2/17 points). A twenty-one-day control showed a 95% reduction of the affected skin area. Persistent efficacy was observed up to one year follow-up time when he was reinjected. The FS, also known as "gustatory hyperhidrosis", was probably first reported by M. Duphenix in 1757. Lucja Frey considered its physiopathology as a disorder of both sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation. In our case the FS was caused by a misdirected regeneration of postganglionic parasympathetic nerve fibers that arrised from the nervus lingualis rami ganglionares of the nervus trigeminus. After nerve injury the colinergic parasympathetic fibers seek out colinergic receptors--sympathetic receptors of the skin--innervating sweat glands and small skin vessels. All previous cases were located at masseter region post-parotidectomy. We have not found any description of FS in the submaxillary region. The self-assessed efficacy of the treatment with a hyperhidrosis disease severity scale revealed a very satisfied patient at 20 months follow-up after being injected twice with BTX type A.

Síndrome de Frey por submaxilectomía y tratamiento con toxina botulínica / Frey syndrome secondary to submaxillectomy and botulinic treatment

El síndrome de Frey (SF) se caracteriza por rubor, calor y sudación en la región maseterina y geniana durante las comidas. El SF se observa en el 20-60% de los pacientes sometidos a parotidectomía. Presentamos un caso con SF secundario a la ablación de la glándula submaxilar en un varón de 30 años de edad, sin antecedentes patológicos, que consultó en el año 2000 por adenopatía cervical izquierda. La misma fue biopsiada y la anatomía patológica informó carcinoma medular de tiroides. El paciente presentaba múltiples metástasis hepáticas y pulmonares, motivo por el cual recibió tratamiento quimioterápico con cisplatino plus doxorrubicina (seis ciclos) con respuesta completa, finalizando dicho esquema en marzo del 2002. En julio del 2002 se realizó tiroidectomía total más vaciamiento ganglionar izquierdo con resección de la glándula submaxilar. Durante la cirugía se lesionó la rama mentoniana del nervio cervicofacial, rama del VII par craneal. En septiembre del 2004 consultó por episodios de sudación durante las comidas en la región submaxilar izquierda. Se realizó prueba de Minor y luego se procedió a aplicar toxina botulínica tipo A en la región afectada, a razón de 2.5 UI por punto (cm2), a un total de 17 puntos. El control a los 21 días demostró más de un 95% de efectividad en la resolución del SF. El efecto duró un año, y una segunda reinfiltración mostró similar respuesta. No hallamos descripciones anteriores de SF en región submaxilar; se presenta su tratamiento satisfactorio con toxina botulínica tipo A.

A case of Frey syndrome (FS) secondary to submaxillar gland exeresis is presented and the results of the treatment with botulinum toxin (BTX) type A. FS is a condition of sweating cheek and preauricular area during mealtime as a sequel detected in about 20-60% of patients after parotidectomy. The clinical symptoms include swelling, flushing and hyperhidrosis. The treatment choice for this condition is intracutaneous injection of BTX type A which blocks acetylcholine release at the sweat glands. A 30-year-old man, with thyroid medullar carcinoma diagnosed in 2002 received 6 cicles of cisplatin plus doxorubicin previous to the thyroidectomy with anterolateral neck dissection. During surgery the left ramus marginalis mandibulae was damaged. Two years later the patient referred sweating in submaxillar region during meals. CT scan demonstrated the absence of left submaxillar gland. Minor's test disclosed the affected area and BTX type A was injected (2.5 U/cm2/17 points). A twenty-one-day control showed a 95% reduction of the affected skin area. Persistent efficacy was observed up to one year followup time when he was reinjected. The FS, also known as "gustatory hyperhidrosis", was probably first reported by M. Duphenix in 1757. Lucja Frey considered its physiopathology as a disorder of both sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation. In our case the FS was caused by a misdirected regeneration of postganglionic parasympathetic nerve fibers that arrised from the nervus lingualis rami ganglionares of the nervus trigeminus. After nerve injury the colinergic parasympathetic fibers seek out colinergic receptors -sympathetic receptors of the skin- innervating sweat glands and small skin vessels. All previous cases were located at masseter region post-parotidectomy. We have not found any description of FS in the submaxillary region. The self-assessed efficacy of the treatment with a hyperhidrosis disease severity scale revealed a very satisfied patient at 20 months follow-up after being injected twice with BTX type A.

Frey syndrome prevalence after partial parotidectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Frey syndrome is a sequela observed after parotidectomy and the reported incidence varies enormously in the literature. Diagnosis is evaluated by presence of the classic triad of gustatory sweating, heating and flushing while feeding and documented by Minor starch-iodine test. AIM: To evaluate the incidence of this syndrome in patients submitted to partial parotidectomy at Centro Otorrinolaringológico de Limeira, from 1994 to 2004, including presence of signs and symptoms and the surgical technique. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fourteen patients undergoing partial parotidectomy with sternocleidomastoid muscle flap answered a questionnaire and were classified as positive or negative by Minor starch-iodine test in a clinical retrospective study. RESULTS: 21% of the patients presented symptoms and positive iodine test. CONCLUSION: Only the patients presenting clinical symptoms had a positive test and the adopted surgical technique was efficient due to low incidence of the syndrome.

Prevalência da Síndrome de Frey após parotidectomia parcial / Frey syndrome prevalence after partial parotidectomy

INTRODUÇÃO: síndrome de Frey é uma seqüela observada após parotidectomia com incidência que varia muito na literatura. O diagnóstico é avaliado pela presença da tríade clássica - sudorese, calor e hiperemia na face, durante a alimentação - e documentado pelo teste com amido e iodo de Minor. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a incidência desta síndrome nos pacientes submetidos à parotidectomia parcial, no Centro de Otorrinolaringologia de Limeira, no período de 1994-2004 e correlacioná-la com os achados clínicos e com a técnica cirúrgica utilizada. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Quatorze pacientes foram submetidos à parotidectomia parcial com rotação de retalho pediculado do músculo esternocleidomastóideo e responderam a questionário e a seguir foi realizado o teste do iodo, classificando-se os pacientes em positivos e negativos para o teste em um estudo clínico retrospectivo. RESULTADO: Nesta casuística, observamos que 21 por cento dos pacientes após parotidectomia parcial apresentaram positividade para o teste, sendo os mesmos pacientes que apresentaram queixas clínicas ao responderem o questionário. CONCLUSÃO: Somente os pacientes que apresentaram sintomatologia clínica tiveram positividade no teste do iodo, e a técnica cirúrgica empregada foi eficiente no tratamento da patologia da glândula, pois apresentou baixa incidência de acordo com a literatura pesquisada.

INTRODUCTION: Frey syndrome is a sequela observed after parotidectomy and the reported incidence varies enormously in the literature. Diagnosis is evaluated by presence of the classic triad of gustatory sweating, heating and flushing while feeding and documented by Minor starch-iodine test. AIM: to evaluate the incidence of this syndrome in patients submitted to partial parotidectomy at Centro Otorrinolaringológico de Limeira, from 1994 to 2004, including presence of signs and symptoms and the surgical technique. MATERIAL AND METHOD: fourteen patients undergoing partial parotidectomy with sternocleidomastoid muscle flap answered a questionnaire and were classified as positive or negative by Minor starch-iodine test in a clinical retrospective study. RESULTS: 21 percent of the patients presented symptoms and positive iodine test. CONCLUSION: only the patients presenting clinical symptoms had a positive test and the adopted surgical technique was efficient due to low incidence of the syndrome.

Frey syndrome. A proposal for evaluating severity.

We aimed to establish the incidence of Frey's syndrome in patients that have been submitted to partial and total parotidectomy at a cancer-treating hospital in Mexico City and to propose a grading system to determine its severity. The incidence of Frey's syndrome in 77 patients (25 male and 52 female) under oncological follow-up due to parotid tumors was subjectively evaluated through clinical findings and objectively diagnosed through Minor's test. The positive hyperhydrotic areas were recorded and measured on transparent acetates. Numeric values were assigned according to clinical perception of symptomatology by the patients (0 for no perception and 1 for clinical recognition), extent of the affected area (1 if less than 2 cm; 2 if between 2.1 and 4 cm, and 3 if more than 4 cm), intensity and smell of sweat (3 if it was excessive or of unpleasant odor). Results were expressed as mild (if less than 4 points) or severe grades (if 4 or more points). Frey syndrome was objectively diagnosed in 28 patients (36%), although only 17 (22%) recognized to have clinical manifestations of this condition. There were 22 women (79%) and six men (21%). Of these, seventeen (61%) had been subjected to partial and eleven (39%) to total parotidectomy. Adjuvant radiotherapy had been employed in nine cases (32%). The cutaneous affected area in the whole group ranged from 0.7 to 29.8 cm(2) (mean 8.9 cm(2)), with a mean affected surface of 8.7+/-10.8 cm(2) for women and 9.0+/-8.8 cm(2) for men ( p > 0.05). Twelve cases were classified as mild and sixteen as severe. No significant differences were found between patients treated with partial vs. total parotidectomy or between patients treated with or without adjuvant radiotherapy. The incidence of Frey's syndrome in Mexican patients seems to be similar to those reported in other countries; however, the extent of hyperhydrosis is lower when compared to some European studies. Our proposal for evaluating this condition may be a helpful tool in assessing the incidence and severity among the diverse populations and it may be a useful tool to define more precisely the indications for treatment and to evaluate the available therapeutic methods according to the severity of the condition.

Frey's syndrome after condylar fracture: case report.

Frey's syndrome is the occurrence of hyperesthesia, flushing and warmth or sweating over the distribution of the auriculotemporal nerve and/or greater auricular nerve while eating foods that produce a strong salivary stimulus. Frey's syndrome is also known as auriculotemporal syndrome and gustatory sweating. We present a case of Frey's syndrome after a condylar fracture and its treatment by internal rigid fixation. A review of the literature is provided along with mention of a simple test (Minor's test) that can help in the diagnosis of this syndrome.

Atypical Frey syndrome as a complication of Obwegeser osteotomy.

A patient with Frey syndrome on the left cheek area as a complication of an Obwegeser osteotomy is reported. Flushing, sweating of skin, and hypoesthesia of buccal mucosae were present 6 months after surgery. An injury to the auriculotemporal nerve during desperiostization of the posterior border of the mandibular ramus is believed to be the principal cause. The physiopathologic mechanism is thought to occur in relation to aberrant regeneration of the postganglionic secretomotor parasympathetic nerve fibers carried in this nerve. These regenerated fibers erroneously reach the sweat glands of the cheek skin through anastomosis with the buccal nerve and temporofacial ramus of the facial nerve. Direct injury of the buccal nerve may be another cause, because of its close anatomic course with the external pterygoid muscle and the mandibular ramus. An extensive literature review revealed no cases of this syndrome as a complication of Obwegeser osteotomy.