A retrospective study of long-term quality of life and sensory impact of great auricular nerve preservation in parotid surgery

Introduction:

This study aimed to evaluate sensory dysfunction resulting from great auricular nerve (GAN) sacrifice versus preservation in parotid surgery for benign lesions and its impact on long-term health-related quality of life (QOL).

Patients and Methods:

137 patients (65 male and 72 female) enrolled in this study. Average age at the time of surgery was 53 years (± 12.8). Patients were divided into two groups (GAN and non-GAN) and both short-term (two weeks) and long term (at least five years post-operative) QOL were retrospectively assessed. The second and specific item for postoperative sensory loss of the Parotidectomy Outcome Inventory-8 (POI-8) was used. All items of the POI-8 questionnaire were used to determine health-related QOL.

Results:

The GAN preservation group had significantly better sensation than the non-GAN group in short-term (2.82 vs. 2.16; p = 0.017). Both groups experienced improved sensation in the long term (p < 0.001) and there was a tendency towards better QOL in the GAN-preservation group. However, the difference in sensation was not statistically significant (1.71 vs. 1.31; p = 0.145).

Conclusion:

Although GAN preservation was easily feasible, it only improved sensation in short term. Altogether, GAN preservation did not significantly improve sensation in long-term nor did it increase health-related QOL postoperatively.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)