Advantage of lifting in parotidectomy

A retrospective study is presented of surgical patients undergoing simultaneous SMAS lifting technique and parotidectomy, with evaluation of the incidence of clinical Frey's syndrome. 40 patients were operated on between 1978 and 1999. The surgical technique is described and the incidence of clinical Frey's syndrome as evaluated by questionnaire is presented. The 36 patients who answered the questionnaire were satisfied with the aesthetic result in terms of hidden scar and defect filling. 2 patients complained of warm cheek sensation during meals, without associated sweating. One patient who had had superficial parotidectomy in 1978 and total parotidectomy for recurrent pleomorphic adenoma in 1997 complained of Frey's syndrome. Combination of the two techniques provides excellent aesthetic results. In this study the incidence of clinical Frey's syndrome was 2%, with an incidence of incomplete Frey's syndrome in 5.5% of cases due to SMAS interposition.