Frey's Syndrome After Parotidectomy: A Retrospective and Prospective Analysis

Gustatory sweating is a well‐known sequela after parotid surgery. In a retrospective and prospective study of patients undergoing parotid surgery, the onset, time course, extent, and treatment modalities of Frey's syndrome were analyzed. Twenty‐two percent of the patients evaluated by questionnaires and 43% of the patients followed prospectively within 1 year were found to be symptomatic. Although the Minor starch‐iodine test was positive in 38% of patients at 3 months, none of these patients experienced symptoms. Up to 12 months after surgery the rate of patients who tested positive increased to 96% and the total area of sweating expanded to a mean value of 18 cm2. Whereas most of the patients are not markedly disturbed, few patients (5% to 10%) suffer from severe gustatory sweating. These patients present a therapeutic challenge.