Preserving the great auricular nerve in parotid surgery.

This study compares the sensory morbidity associated with preservation of the posterior branch of the great auricular nerve and sacrifice of the nerve during routine parotid surgery. Twelve patients were divided into two groups. Half the patients had the posterior branch of the great auricular nerve preserved and the other half had the nerve sacrificed in the standard manner. Sensory testing was carried out at 3 monthly intervals for 1 year. The results showed significantly less sensory loss to the skin of the ear and the angle of the mandible in those patients where the nerve was preserved.