Parotid Fistulas after Reconstructive Surgery for the Face and Neck Burn Contracture

Abstract

A parotid fistula is a rare symptom, caused by abnormal canal between the skin and the salivary duct or gland, leading to salivary discharge from skin. A 53-year-old man suffered a severe facial, neck, and precordial flame burn, which was treated by multiple debridement and split-thickness-skin-grafts. After the release of cervical scar contracture with a distant flap, saliva discharge from small fistula became evident, following him coming to the authors' hospital for treatment of the scar contracture of the face and neck. The apertures of the fistula were located 2 cm cephalad. Computed tomography with contrast injected into the fistula revealed extension to the left parotid gland. Following from this, the site was covered with a free groin flap. Over two years after surgery, no recurrence of parotid fistula was observed.