[Effectiveness of pedicled sternocleidomastoid muscle flap in repairing defect after parotidectomy]
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Updated: May 23, 2026
Coronoid-Temporalis Pedicled Flap for Orbital Floor Defect Reconstruction
Published on: December 5, 2025
Zhongli Geng1, Hongtao Li, Jin Wang
1Department of Mammary Gland, Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi Xinjiang 830011, PR China.
Objective:
To investigate the effectiveness of pedicled sternocleidomastoid muscle flap in repairing defect after parotidectomy by comparing with direct suture.
Methods:
The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed, which were from 73 patients with parotid tumor undergoing parotidectomy between January 2002 and April 2010. After parotidectomy, defects were repaired with pedicled sternocleidomastoid muscle flap in 38 cases (flap group) and with direct suture in 35 cases (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, tumor location and size between 2 groups (P > 0.05). Meanwhile the complications, such as local intercession deformity, Frey's syndrome and parotid gland fistula were observed.
Results:
In flap group, the flaps were all alive and incisions healed by first intention; in control group, all incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-98 months and no tumor recurred. There was significant difference in local intercession deformity between 2 groups (chi2 = 53.202, P = 0.000). The parotid gland fistula was found in 1 case (2.6%) of the flap group and in 8 cases (22.8%) of the control group, Frey's syndrome was found 1 case (2.6%) of the flap group and in 20 cases (57.1%) of the control group, showing significant differences between 2 groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The use of pedicled sternocleidomastoid muscle flap for defect repair after parotidectomy can avoid the complications of local intercession deformity, Frey's syndrome, and parotid gland fistula.
