Phase I non-randomised safety study of prophylactic topical dexamethasone/hyaluronic acid formulation on facial nerves during parotidectomy and neck dissection surgery

This study seeks to determine the safety of applying the potent corticosteroid dexamethasone in a slow release hyaluronic acid gel formulation directly to exposed nerve branches of the facial nerve during standard parotidectomy and neck dissection surgery. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 years or over and are undergoing parotidectomy (malignant or benign) or neck dissection surgery. Study details Consenting patients will receive the dexamethasone in a slow release gel formulation directly to the exposed nerve during surgery, in which the surgeon will coat exposed branches of the facial nerve with the formulation once. Consenting participants will undergo their standard clinical treatment involving parotidectomy or neck dissection surgery which includes an initial consult involving facial nerve function assessments, parotidectomy or neck dissection surgery and follow-up visits assessing wound healing/infection and facial nerve function over 2 months.