Background
Few operations in the head and neck region present challenges such as parotidectomy. The tumors detected are usually benign and patients expect normal function postoperatively. Complications of parotidectomy can be divided into early and late complications. The most serious of late complications are Frey syndrome and cosmetic deformity. Our aim is to evaluate the role of dermal fat graft interposition in preventing postparotidectomy complications.
Patients and methods
This study included 72 patients with benign parotid tumors who were treated between May 2012 and December 2015 in the Department of General Surgery, Menoufia University Hospitals. These patients are randomly divided into two groups: group A (control group) included 36 patients treated with parotidectomy without using dermal fat graft, and group B (study group) included 36 patients treated with parotidectomy and interposition of dermal fat graft.
Results
Most of our patients were females in both groups (66.7 and 77.8%), respectively. The most common pathology was pleomorphic adenoma in both groups (61.1 and 66.7%). There are no statistically significant differences between both groups as regards the operative time and the incidence of facial nerve palsy. Group B (study group) had a significantly lower incidence of Frey syndrome compared with group A (control group) either by subjective or objective methods (=0.011 and 0.002). There was also a significant reduction in the incidence of sialocele and cosmetic unsatisfaction in the study group (=0.030 and 0.003, respectively).
Conclusion
The dermal fat graft is a simple idea for restoring facial contour and preventing the postoperative complications after parotidectomy.