Complications of parotidectomy: Surgical techniques of repair

Every surgical procedure has its price, and so does resection of parotid tumors. Although damage to the facial nerve when transversing the gland is the main complication, gustatory sweat syndrome, also known as Frey's syndrome, should be mentioned. Although careful surgery and experience may help prevent the damage, 56% of patients undergoing parotid surgery suffer from some degree of postoperative Frey's syndrome, no matter who the surgeon is and what technique is used. The various techniques for treating Frey's syndrome are described. Salivary fistulas and sialoceles are among the complications of parotidectomy that are also described in the present study. The surgical techniques for treating these complications are depicted.