Incidence and Characteristics of Frey's Syndrome after Parotidectomy by Minor's Starch-Iodine Test

Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology 2016;32(1):1-5.
Published online May 30, 2016.

Tae Wook Kang;Chang Myeon Song;Hong Dae Kim;Seok Hwa Ko;Youn Il Jang;Yong Bae Ji;Kyung Tae

이하선 절제술 후 요오드-녹말 검사를 이용한 Frey 증후군의 발생 빈도 및 임상 양상

강태욱;송창면;김홍대;고석화;장연일;지용배;태경

Abstract

Objectives: Frey's syndrome is an infrequent complication after parotidectomy and its incidence varies from 23.5% to 50.8% in the literature. The objective of this study was to evaluate the actual incidence and clinical characteristics of Frey's syndrome.
Methods
We analyzed 31 patients who underwent parotidectomy and serial Minor's starch-iodine test. The mean follow-up period was 66 ± 26.1 months (range, 24-118 months). The Frey's syndrome was analyzed using a questionnaire for the assessment of the subjective symptom and Minor's starch-iodine test for the objective meas-urement at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the surgery and then every 6 or 12 months. Minor's starch-iodine test was graded from 0 to 3 according to the area of discolorization.
Results
Frey's syndrome occurred in 11 patients (35.5%) on the Minor's starch-iodine test. The mean onset of Frey's syndrome on the starch-iodine test was 13.6 ± 10.4 months after parotidectomy. Sixteen patients (51.6%) complained about gustatory sweating and flushing. The onset of the subjective symptom was 11.27 ± 6.96 months after the surgery. There was a significant correlation between the grade of the starch-iodine test and the severity of subjective symptoms (P <0.001). Various factors including size and location of tumor, incision method, and extent of parotidectomy did not correlate with the Frey's syndrome.
Conclusion
The incidence of Frey's syndrome was 35.5% on the Starch-Iodine test, and the onset was about postoperative 13.6 months.

Key Words: Frey 증후군, Frey's syndrome, Auriculotemporal syndrome, Minor's starch iodine test, Parotidectomy