Lipofilling after total parotidectomy: a useful option to prevent functional and aesthetic sequelae

Parotidectomy is the main treatment for parotid tumours, but its functional and aesthetic sequelae can be very disturbing for patients.

15 patients underwent total conservative parotidectomy, harvesting of a superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) flap and lipofilling between May 2014 and June 2020 for a benign parotid tumour. Aesthetic, functional sequelae and cosmetic results were assessed with the House-Brackmann scale, Luna-Ortiz's classification and a semiquantitative questionnaire. Lipofilling resorption was analysed by maxillofacial and neck MRI imaging at 2 years after surgery. The results were compared to a group of 21 patients who underwent total parotidectomy without harvesting a SMAS flap and lipofilling.

No complications were observed. No facial defects were seen during follow-up. Post-operative MRI showed fat resorption was less than 20% in 12 patients and from 20 to 30% in 3 patients. Cosmetic satisfaction was 100% in all cases. Only 1 patient (6%) complained of Frey's syndrome.

Lipofilling is an excellent solution considering its efficacy, safety, simplicity, duration over time and economic costs. Donor site invasiveness is minimal, and reintervention is always possible. Face-lift incision and SMAS flap can improve aesthetic results and minimise the disfiguring impact of the surgical scar.