Fat injections for the management of post-parotidectomy Frey syndrome: a technical note.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Frey syndrome (profuse sweating and cutaneous flushing in the area innervated by the auriculotemporal nerve) is a frequent and unpleasant complication of parotidectomy. Fat injections may be useful in preventing the abnormal nerve neo-anastomoses sprouting to the sweat glands that are responsible for gustatory sweating, but have never been used before.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

We describe the use of fat injections into the parotid gland of four patients with post-parotidectomy Frey syndrome.

RESULTS:

All of the patients experienced a clinical and subjective improvement, although slight sweating persisted. There were no untoward effects during the procedure and, in particular, no facial nerve impairment.

CONCLUSION:

On the basis of our experience minimally invasive fat injections can be considered in the case of post-parotidectomy Frey syndrome, but patients should be informed that subsequent procedures may be needed to achieve a definitive result.

• Authors: Sara Torretta, Lorenzo Pignataro, Pasquale Capaccio, Alessandra Brevi, Riccardo Mazzola
• Journal: Journal of cranio-maxillo-facial surgery : official publication of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery (J Craniomaxillofac Surg) Vol. 40 Issue 2 Pg. 173-6 (Feb 2012) ISSN: 1878-4119 [Electronic] Scotland
• PMID: 21458286 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Fats

Topics

• Adipocytes (transplantation)
• Aged
• Fats (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Injections
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Oral Surgical Procedures (adverse effects)
• Parotid Gland (surgery)
• Sweat Glands (innervation)
• Sweating, Gustatory (etiology, prevention & control)