The superficial musculoaponeurotic system flap in the prevention of Frey syndrome: A meta-analysis.

Objectives/hypothesis: Evaluate the difference of the incidence in clinical Frey syndrome in studies comparing classical parotidectomy and parotidectomy with superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) flap elevation and suturing through meta-analysis methodology.

Study Design: Meta-analysis of controlled studies with and without SMAS flap.

Methods: Database search with the following key word combination: "Frey syndrome" and "SMAS."

Inclusion Criteria: parotidectomy, SMAS flap and control groups, minimal follow-up of 1 year. The outcome was the presence of clinical Frey syndrome.

Results: Eleven studies, mostly retrospective and not randomized. According to the fixed-effect model, SMAS technique is associated with a decrease of clinical Frey syndrome with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.42 (confidence interval [CI] 0.32-0.56). With the random-effect model, the difference remains significant (P = 0.006) with an OR of 0.25 (CI 0.09-0.66). The heterogeneity index I(2) is very high (85%).

Conclusion: The use of SMAS flap and suturing is associated with a decreased incidence of Frey syndrome. Laryngoscope, 126:1581-1584, 2016.