New Surgical Approach for Removal of the Submandibular Gland

Head and Neck Surgery

Date: 7/31/2000

(NewsRx.com) -- A new procedure for the treatment of sialolithiasis in the submandibular gland has proven to be an acceptable alternative to the transcervical approach, which is generally accepted by head and neck surgeons. A number of clinical problems may result after surgery through the transcervical approach. "We introduce a new surgical approach for excision of the submandibular gland indicated in the chronically inflamed salivary gland with or without calculus and benign mixed tumor of the submandibular gland,"stated K.H. Hong and colleagues at the Chonbuk National University in South Korea. The researchers reviewed 31 cases of submandibular gland removal through the intraoral approach, and analyzed surgical technique and morbidity. The temporary lack of lingual nerve function or limited tongue movement were documented as some of the early postoperative discomforts, all of which were diminished in a reasonable amount of time in all patients involved. There were no symptomatic late complications, such as residual inflammation of Wharton's duct and neurologic sequelae, after using the intraoral approach. The advantages of the intraoral approach included avoiding an external scar and avoiding injury to the marginal mandubular nerve and the hypoglossal nerve. Hong et al. found the intraoral approach to removal of the submandibular gland to be an acceptable alternative to the transcervical approach ("Intraoral removal of the submandibular gland: A new surgical approach,"

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

, 2000;122(6):798-802). The corresponding author for this report is K.H. Hong, Chonbuk National University, School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Institute of Medical Science, Chonju 560182, Chonbuk, South Korea. Visit the www.NewsRx.com online database for 49 additional articles on head and neck surgery. Key points reported in this article are: * The intraoral approach to removal of the submandibular gland is an acceptable alternative to the transcervical approach * There were no symptomatic late complications arising after using the intraoral approach * The advantages of the intraoral approach include avoiding an external scar and avoiding injury to the marginal mandubular nerve and the hypoglossal nerve This article was prepared by Health & Medicine Week editors from staff and other reports.