After parotidectomy patients complains of loss of sensation while shaving. Which nerve is most likely affected?

Ans. (B) Great auricular nerve(Ref: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery 27th Ed; Page No-790)Permanent numbness of earlobe associated with grater auricular nerve transection; which is the complication of parotid surgery.Others complications of Parotid surgery:#Facial numbness#Hematoma#Temporary facial nerve weakness#Sialocele#Infection#Transection of facial nerve#Flap necrosis#Frey's SyndromeIt occurs due to damage of Auriculotemporal nerve during parotid gland dissection).It manifest after 2-3 months of the parotid surgery.Clinical PearlsA formal superficial parotidectomy (or superficial and deep if the tumor is deep to the facial nerve) is the appropriate way to excise--and thereby biopsy--parotid tumors, preventing recurrences and sparing the facial nerve.In malignant tumors the nerve is sacrificed and a nerve interposition graft performedOpen biopsy is absolutely contraindicated but FNA of these tumors may be done.