FREYS-SYNDROME ANALYSIS WITH BIOSENSOR - A PRELIMINARY-STUDY

Objective: Objective quantification of Frey's syndrome (gustatory swea ting), following total parotidectomy. A biosensoring method of enzymat ic electrodes enabling the detection of L-lactate on intact skin with the use of a skin extraction device and enzymatic electrodes is presen ted and analyzed. Design: A criterion standard study. Setting: This pr ospective trial was undertaken at our research laboratory (University of Paris [France]). Parotidectomy was performed in our department, whi ch is a tertiary care center for parotid gland pathology. Patients: Tw enty-eight patients with gustatory sweating following total parotidect omy and nine control patients not operated on were asked to take part in this prospective study. Main Outcome and Measures: Gustatory sweati ng was assessed in all patients using a clinical scale, the Minor star ch iodine test, and the L-lactate biosensoring method. Results: Instru mentation and assay procedure for the L-lactate biosensoring method ar e detailed. Statistical analysis of data was performed using the Krusk al-Wallis H Test and the Mann-Whitney U Test. Results demonstrate that this method enables objective measurement of the L-lactate on skin wi thout the need for chemical reagents, continuous nondestructive analys is in real time, and physiological dynamic monitoring of the L-lactate rate of production after stimulus. Data achieved strongly suggested t hat the aberrant regeneration theory is the main clue to Frey's syndro me pathogenesis. Conclusion: This safe, reliable, noninvasive, objecti ve, and highly sensitive method provides an investigative tool for cli nicians as well as physiologists involved with patients presenting gus tatory sweating following parotid gland surgery.