Long-term Follow-up of the Effect of Tympanic Neurectomy on Sialadenosis and Recurrent Parotitis

Abstract

We examined the effect of tympanic neurectomy on the clinical symptoms and secretory function of the parotids in 13 patients with chronic parotitis or sialadenosis for 3 years. Each patient had significantly fewer complaints immidiately after the surgery. In quite a few patients the improvement was transient only. Three years after neurectomy 3 of the 10 examined patients were free from complaints and 4 further patients had less severe complaints than before the surgery. Neurectomy was followed by a significant decrease in parotid flow rate and an increase in the sodium concentration of parotid saliva, while potassium concentration showed a slight decrease. Three years after the surgery the flow rate and the sodium concentration were moderately higher than before that. There was a significant, long-lasting change in the amylase activity of parotid saliva; 3 years after neurectomy it attained one-third of the preoperative value. A pharmacological test, carried out 3 years after neurectomy in 2 patients, suggested parasympathetic reinnervation of the parotid.