Parotidectomy Defect and Facial Nerve Reconstruction

Parotidectomy defect reconstruction requires an understanding of facial form and function. The main goals for the reconstructive surgeon include restoring facial contour and symmetry with stable tissue volumes, avoiding Frey’s syndrome, ensuring adequate skin coverage, and providing reconstruction of the facial nerve functional deficit. There are many reconstructive options available, and here we discuss strategies for addressing defects created by the superficial parotidectomy, total parotidectomy, and radical parotidectomy.