Usefulness of platysma muscle flap following superficial parotidectomy

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate a novel technique of a platysma muscle flap following superficial parotidectomy and to evaluate the impact of using this flap on Frey's syndrome and postoperative appearance.

Methods: In this retrospective study, there were 55 patients who had had superficial parotid gland tumors removed, 28 patients were restored by the platysma muscle flap, and the remaining 27 patients were not restored by the technique. The area of the flap was measured using Image-Pro plus 6.0 software. The objective starch-iodine test was used to determine the incidence of Frey's syndrome. The postoperative aesthetic outcome of retromandibular contour was evaluated in all the patients.

Results: The score in platysma flap group was significantly higher than the scores in the conventionally treated group (P < 0.01). The area of the flap was 1668.7 ± 218.7 square millimeters. Of 28 patients restored by the flap, 2 developed mild Frey's syndrome, and in the remaining 27 patients 10 had Frey's syndrome. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.007). The technique produced satisfactory aesthetic results with good facial contour.

Conclusions: The platysma muscle flap, used as an interposing barrier between the overlying skin flap and the parotid bed following superficial parotidectomy, produced good results in the prevention of Frey's syndrome and resulted in good postoperative facial contour.