Sensation recovery improved by great auricular nerve preservation in parotidectomy: a prospective double-blind study.

Background: The great auricular nerve (GAN) is frequently sacrificed during parotidectomy and causes sensory disturbance of the auricle. Our study is to investigate whether GAN preservation can improve the sensory recovery.
Methods: Patients undergoing superficial or total conservative parotidectomy for benign tumours were recruited consecutively from November 1998 to September 2001. Different sensory methods (light touch, two-point discrimination and sharp pain) of the auricle were evaluated by a designated physiotherapist preoperatively as well as at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The patients and the physiotherapist were blinded to the integrity of the GAN. Long-term subjective assessment was also carried out beyond 2 years postoperatively.
Results: A total of 21 patients were recruited for the study. GAN were preserved in 10 patients. The mean follow up was 16 months (12-42 months). There was no difference in sex distribution, type of operation and pathology of parotid tumour between the two groups. No postoperative mortality occurred and postoperative morbidity did not differ between the two groups. Patients with GAN preserved had significantly better light touch and sharp pain recovery at 1 year postoperatively. Subjective assessment of sensory dysfunction also favoured GAN preservation.
Conclusion: Great auricular nerve preservation minimizes the postoperative sensory disturbance and should be considered whenever tumour clearance is not compromised.