Microsurgical Repair of Stensen's Duct Using an Interposition Vein Graft

Abstract

Facial wounds are frequently associated with bone fractures and multiple trauma; however, disruption of the parotid gland or Stensen's duct is rare and is often associated with facial nerve palsy. Lesions are often undiagnosed on first assessment of the multiple trauma patient. If microsurgical repair of Stensen's duct provides good functional results, ignoring such lesions often leads to later complications such as fistulae and sialocoeles. Although simple ligation of Stensen's duct has been reported to give satisfactory results, the authors prefer a more anatomic reconstruction of this structure whenever possible. A case of Stensen's duct microsurgical repair using a vein graft are reported.