Salivary Gland Treatments & Operations

Surgical removal of the submandibular gland, known as excision of the submandibular gland, is the standard treatment for patients with tumours in this gland or recurrent infections, as well as for those with stones (calculi) within the gland itself. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia to ensure the patient is unconscious throughout. An incision is made in a natural skin crease under the jawline. The submandibular salivary gland is carefully removed. Following the surgery, a small plastic drain is placed to manage fluid drainage, and the incision is closed using dissolvable sutures placed deep within the skin. The drain is typically removed the day after surgery.

Some cases may require a complex intervention including resection of skin, facial nerve or its branches, or part of the ear; and in high grade tumours, may need a neck dissection, as well. Although benign submandibular tumours can be managed by submandibular gland excision, malignant tumours may need additional neck dissection. In patients where the tumour involves facial nerve branches or the main trunk, facial reanimation procedures such as static/dynamic reanimation, gold weights + tarsorrhaphy, browlift, fascia lata slings, cable nerve graft neurorrhaphy, masseteric nerve transfer with cross facial nerve grafting +/- babysitter neurorrhaphy – hypoglossal - facial nerve neurorrhaphy may be performed. Additionally, free muscle transfer such as gracilis flap, and ALT neuro myofascial transfer among others may be undertaken.