A comparison of incidence of Frey's syndrome diagnosed based on clinical signs and Minor's test after parotis surgery.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate whether postoperative follow-up period, clinical signs or Minor test is effective to determine the incidence of Frey's syndrome following superficial parotidectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2008, 30 patients, (16 males, 14 females; mean age 47.7±15.3 years, range 17 to 76 years) who underwent superficial parotidectomy in the Ear, Nose, Throat Clinic, were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were administered a questionnaire on clinical signs of Frey's syndrome and disease period, and Minor's test. RESULTS: The postoperative pathological examination showed pleomorphic adenoma, Whartin's tumor, basal cell adenoma and oncocytoma. The Minor's test result was positive in 50% of the patients. While 10% of the patients complained about excessive sweating requiring no treatment, none of them complained about the bad body odor. The disease was considered moderate based on the severity of the disease in all patients. CONCLUSION: The incidence of Frey's syndrome may vary according to the postoperative follow-up period and the diagnostic method applied, including assessment of clinical signs and Minor's test.