Surgical results of the intraoral removal of the submandibular gland

OBJECTIVES: Most patients with benign submandibular disorders have been treated surgically without difficulty via the transcervical approach. An alternative to the standard transcervical approach has been reported such as an intraoral approach. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review of the 77 patients with benign submandibular disorders. All patients underwent an excision of the submandibular gland via intraoral approach. RESULTS: Early postoperative complications developed in 74.0% of the temporary lingual sensory paresis followed by 70.1% of temporary limitation of tongue movement. However, these complications soon resolved in all patients spontaneously. Two cases of postoperative bleeding and 1 case of abscess formation were developed. Whereas late complications developed in 4 cases of residual salivary gland and abnormal sense of mouth floor and 1 case of gustatory sweating (Frey's) syndrome. CONCLUSION: The major advantages of this approach are no external scar, no injury to the marginal mandibular nerve. The disadvantage is a more difficult dissection to transcervical approach before proper expert, especially in the severe adhesion of salivary gland to surrounding tissue.