Effects of acellular dermal matrix on the prevention of complications and esthetic outcome after parotidectomy: A propensity score matched analysis

Abstract

Objective The present study was designed to investigate whether acellular dermal matrix (ADM) grafts could prevent Frey’s syndrome (FS) and improve esthetic scores following parotidectomy. Methods From January 2015 to December 2019, 175 patients underwent parotidectomy. We divided the patients into two groups: the ADM group and the control group. We included in each group 30 patients according to a propensity score matched analysis. Results FS was subjective in 1 patient (3%) from the ADM group and 9 patients (30%) from the control group ( P=0.015). Patients in the ADM group had a subjective esthetic score of 6.1 + 1.7 compared with 5.2 + 1.7 in the control group. The subjective esthetic score for patients in the ADM group was higher than that for patients in the control group ( P =0.040). Conclusion The present clinical study suggests that ADM grafts are effective in preventing FS and improving esthetic scores after parotidectomy.