【Abstract】 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 gt; 0.05). Meanwhile the complications, such as local introcession 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 introcession deformity between 2 groups (χ2=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 lt; 0.05). Conclusion The use of pedicled sternocleidomastoid muscle flap for defect repair after parotidectomy can avoid the complications of local introcession deformity, Frey’s syndrome, and parotid gland fistula.
