Prevalence of Frey’s Syndrome after Parotidectomy

Abstract

Introduction: Frey’s syndrome is characterized by facial sweating, flushing and heat sensation in the parotid area. Its prevalence is highly variable.

Methods: The present study included 33 selected patients, submitted to superficial parotidectomy. To the included patients, a clinical interview was conducted and Minor’s test, for objective evaluation of Frey’s syndrome, was applied. The degree of Frey’s syndrome severity was determined according to Luna Ortiz’s model and by using a 0-10 numeric scale.

Results: Of the 33 ini- tially selected patients, only 27 (81,8%) showed up for assessment at Hospital de Braga. Of the seven patients who referred sweating, only one classified it as “excessive”, giving it grade 6 on a “0-10” scale, while all of the others classified it as “1”, “2” or “3”. Minor’s test was positive in seven patients, one of which didn’t have any clinical complaints. According to Luna-Ortiz’s surgical severity model, three patients (42, 2%) were assessed as having moderate Frey’s syndrome and four patients (57,1%) had severe disease.

Conclusion: The incidence of this condition, as determined by Minor’s test, is 26,2%, similarly to what is found in other studies.

Keywords: Frey’s syndrome, Parotid gland