Surgery to remove a salivary gland

Description removal of the salivary gland

Salivary glands secrete saliva through the duct. They are located around the mouth and throat. Major salivary glands:

• The parotid;
• Submandibular;
• Sublingual;
• Small glands, disposed over the entire region of mouth.

The surgery is performed to remove a salivary gland. There are different types of operations, depending on removable gland:

• Parotidektomija – to remove the parotid gland;
• Submandibular sialadenektomiya – to remove the submandibular gland;
• Sublingual surgery to remove the sublingual gland.

Reasons for removal of the salivary gland

The salivary glands can be infected, locked (in the presence of tumor), contain stones or have other disorders. The operation is performed by removing part or all of the affected gland. Removal of salivary gland can be conducted, to select for analyzing tissue cancer.

Possible complications of removal of the salivary gland

Complications are rare, but the procedure does not guarantee the absence of risk. If you plan on removing the salivary gland, you need to know about possible complications, which may include:

• Numbness of the face and ear;
• Nerve damage, which controls the movement of the muscles in the face;
• Drainage of saliva – saliva can flow through the seams incision;
• Frey syndrome – there, when salivary nerve fibers grow into the sweat glands. During the meal, some people may notice heavy sweating on the side of the face, where the operation was performed;
• Bleeding;
• Infection;
• Swelling of the airways;
• Scarring;
• CVIS – abnormal channels, which may arise between the mouth, nose, throat and skin.

The presence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease may increase the risk heart attack stroke or during or after surgery. Risk factors include:

• High blood pressure;
• Advanced age;
• Smoking;
• Diabetes.

We need to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.

How is the removal of the salivary glands?

Preparations for the removal of the salivary gland

Before the surgery, the doctor may prescribe, or to hold the next:

• The medical examination and the study of medical history;
• Blood test;
• Roentgen;
• Tell your doctor about taking any medications. A week before surgery you may be asked to stop taking certain drugs:
  • Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, Ibuprofen, naproxen);
  • Blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin;
  • Antiplatelet drugs, such as clopidogrel.

Anesthesia

If the operation is conducted on the major salivary glands (eg, removal of the parotid gland), It can be used general anesthesia, which blocks the pain and the patient support in a sleep state during operation. If you removed the smaller salivary glands, Local anesthesia may be used.

Procedure removal of the salivary glands

This procedure is often done on an outpatient basis. But if the operation is performed on more iron, perhaps, I will have to stay overnight in the hospital.

Parotidektomija

There are two types parotidektomiya, in relation to the operation.

The facial nerve runs near the parotid gland. If the tumor is above the facial nerve, performed surface parotidektomiya. The tumor and affected tissue will be removed without damage to the nerves.

In the presence of the tumor, surrounding facial nerve, It will be made total parotidektomiya. The tumor is removed, the affected tissue and part of the nerve.

For both types of surgery, the doctor accesses the hardware, making an incision in the front of the ear down, to the neck.

Submandibular sialadenektomiya

The doctor makes an incision in the neck, below the chin. He will remove the submandibular gland and, perhaps, surrounding lymph nodes. If surgery is performed to remove stones in the salivary glands, it will also be deleted.

Sublingual salivary gland surgery

Sublingual surgery is performed more often to remove the cyst, It called hydroglossa. During this operation, the doctor performs the incision through the mouth, to remove a cyst. If the cyst is large, It may require an additional incision in the neck.

Removal of small salivary glands

If surgery is performed to remove a tumor of small salivary glands, the doctor makes an incision in the area of ​​cancer. He will remove the tumor and affected the surrounding soft tissue and bone.

After removal of tissue, doctor sews up the incision. In some cases, it sets temporary drainage, to remove fluid accumulates (eg, blood, spittle) of the surgical wound.

Your doctor may send the tissue, which has been removed, to the laboratory for testing. This is often done to check for tumor malignancy. This will help the doctor plan treatment after surgery.

How long will the surgery on the salivary gland?

This depends on the salivary gland removed and the type of operation. Removing small gland can take less than an hour. Complex surgery can take up to five hours.

Salivary gland surgery – Will it hurt?

Anesthesia prevents pain during surgery. Pain or soreness during recovery are removed with the help of painkillers.

Caring for a patient after removal of the salivary glands

Care in a hospital

The hospital staff will monitor your condition. Hospital staff:

• Check the operation of the facial muscles, I am asking you to smile or grimaced;
• Educate, how to care for drainage, because it should remain for some time after discharge from the hospital.

Home Care

After returning home, follow these steps:, to ensure the normal recovery:

• Keep the incision clean:
  • Use of hydrogen peroxide and a cotton swab, to clear the area around the wound. Do this twice a day;
  • Treat the area with an antibiotic ointment operation;
• Follow the instructions for the care of the drainage tube. It, usually, It will be removed within 2-4 days;
• You may also need to return to hospital after 4-6 days to remove sutures. When the stitches are removed, Clean the area of ​​operations mild soap and water;
• Ask the doctor, when it is safe to shower, bath or expose the surgical site to water;
• Be sure to follow all instructions from your doctor.

Contact your doctor after removal of the salivary glands

After discharge from the hospital need to see a doctor, If the following symptoms:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills;
• Redness, edema, increased pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision;
• Nausea and / or vomiting, which does not pass upon receiving prescribed drugs;
• Pain, which does not pass after taking pain medication appointed;
• Cough, shortness of breath or chest pain;
• Saliva or vomiting blood;
• Other painful symptoms.