Frey’s Syndrome Prevention, Treatment Following Parotid Surgery

Background

After parotid surgery, traumatized auriculotemporal, postganglionic, parasympathetic nerve fibers reinnervate the sweat glands and subcutaneous vessels resulting in gustatory sweating and facial flushing. Because Frey’s syndrome (FS) does not spontaneously resolve, multiple prevention and treatment strategies have been proposed. The literature supports evidence-based best practices for procedures in selected patients directed at the prevention and treatment of FS who are likely to have improved long-term quality of life after parotidectomy.

Best Practice

FS is reduced by parotid parenchyma-sparing procedures and interpositional grafts in selected patients. The treatment of choice for FS is intradermal botulinum toxin type A injections. Read the full article in the Laryngoscope.