Frey syndrome prevalence after partial parotidectomy

INTRODUCTION: Frey syndrome is a sequela observed after parotidectomy and the reported incidence varies enormously in the literature. Diagnosis is evaluated by presence of the classic triad of gustatory sweating, heating and flushing while feeding and documented by Minor starch-iodine test. AIM: to evaluate the incidence of this syndrome in patients submitted to partial parotidectomy at Centro Otorrinolaringológico de Limeira, from 1994 to 2004, including presence of signs and symptoms and the surgical technique. MATERIAL AND METHOD: fourteen patients undergoing partial parotidectomy with sternocleidomastoid muscle flap answered a questionnaire and were classified as positive or negative by Minor starch-iodine test in a clinical retrospective study. RESULTS: 21% of the patients presented symptoms and positive iodine test. CONCLUSION: only the patients presenting clinical symptoms had a positive test and the adopted surgical technique was efficient due to low incidence of the syndrome.