Effectiveness of XXXX after superficial parotidectomy: A randomized controlled trial.

@entity1 @entity409 @entity2103 @entity86 @entity3816
OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of a daily home-based facial exercise therapy with a supervised rehabilitation technique for the treatment of postoperative @entity409 in @entity1 undergoing conventional superficial parotidectomy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized trial, controlled. SETTING: Surgery and Rehabilitation Units, university hospital. SUBJECTS: Consecutive @entity1 (n=79, mean age 48 years) who underwent superficial parotidectomy with @entity2103 were randomly divided into two groups. INTERVENTION: Control group (CG) were given a daily homework manual to perform ordinary postoperative facial mimic exercises autonomously in front of the mirror at home. Experimental group (EG) @entity1 with moderate-severe paresis received supervised rehabilitation therapy that consisted in weekly sessions with facial exercises and massages and performed daily facial exercises at home. EG @entity1 with slight paresis were instructed to undertake self-massage and mirror exercises. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: @entity86 of facial nerve and branches was quantified measuring the prevalence, magnitude and duration of paresis by the House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading System up to 12(th) months. RESULTS: Facial paresis incidence at 1(st) week was 77.2%, being the marginal-mandibular nerve the most affected (64.5%). No statistically significant differences were found at any time of the study when comparing the frequency, magnitude and duration of paresis between EG and CG and among @entity1 who had presented moderate-severe paresis. In the absence of @entity3816 , complete recovery of facial mobility was observed within 12 months, regardless of treatment group. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation therapy and mirror facial exercises performed autonomously at home were equally effective for postoperative functional recovery.
