Objective: (1) To evaluate the effectiveness of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) flap and free fat graft in reconstructing the parotidectomy defect. (2) To evaluate the long-term viability of the free fat graft following parotidectomy for benign and malignant disease, including in the postradiation setting.
Study design: Prospective study of consecutive patients.
Setting: Academic tertiary care medical center. Subjects and Methods Thirty-one consecutive patients underwent parotidectomy with SMAS flap and free fat graft reconstruction from 2006 to 2012. Data were compiled through a manual chart review.
Results: Twenty-three of the 31 total patients had benign disease, including pleomorphic adenoma, oncocytoma, and Warthin tumor. The 8 remaining patients (9 parotidectomies) underwent surgery for malignant disease, followed by postoperative radiation. The average age was 56 years (range, 16-84 years). The mean follow-up was 22.5 months. Satisfactory volumetric symmetry was achieved in all procedures for benign and malignant disease. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed long-term fat graft viability in the postradiation setting. There was 1 case of Frey syndrome and no cases of unexpected, permanent facial nerve weakness among the patients.
Conclusion: The combined technique of SMAS flap and free fat graft is effective for immediate reconstruction of the parotidectomy defect with minimal morbidity and low complication rates. This study demonstrates long-term viability of the free fat graft even in the setting of postoperative radiation.
Keywords: SMAS flap; fat graft; parotidectomy; reconstruction; superficial musculoaponeurotic system.