413 Fat Grafting as a Therapeutic Treatment for Frey's Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature and Recommendations for Management. (19th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McGregor, C; Thomson, E; Arvidsson, A; Whitaker, I
• Is Part Of: British journal of surgery. Volume 109(2022)Supplement 6
• Publication Date: 2022-08-19
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znac269.425
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1323

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: With the reported incidence of Frey's syndrome as high as 59%, the significant morbidity experienced by patients post parotidectomy has resulted in a range of treatment options being proposed with variable outcomes. The lack of consensus has resulted in patients being offered a wide range of treatments with varying success. While fat grafting remains a treatment for contour deformity correction, there is emerging evidence to suggest its effectiveness as a treatment for Frey's syndrome, warranting further investigation. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy of fat grafting as a treatment for Frey's syndrome post parotidectomy. Method: A systematic review was conducted as per PRISMA guidelines, with all articles from MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Ovid, Scopus, and Cochrane screened by two independent reviewers using discreet inclusion and exclusion criteria followed by in depth full-text reviews. Results: 116 papers were screened with 16 meeting the inclusion criteria (13.8%) totalling 785 patients, with multiple outcome measures for assessing Frey's syndrome. Fat grafting was shown to significantly reduce the incidence of Frey's syndrome in patients having undergone both superficial and total parotidectomies, with 15 studies (93.8%) finding a significant reduction in its incidence post treatment. Conclusions: With low donor site morbidity, biocompatibility, ease of use, low cost to perform and high patient satisfaction, the systematic review of the evidence supports the use of fat grafting post parotidectomy as an effective treatment for Frey's syndrome. Further research to determine the long-term outcome would inform its suitability as a first line treatment.