title: Submandibular gland surgery: an audit of clinical findings, pathology and postoperative morbidity.
abstract: A series of 86 patients who underwent submandibular gland surgery were reviewed retrospectively. Of the 92 glands excised, non-neoplastic disease accounted for 96% of cases. Preoperative clinical findings were inconsistent such that early surgery should be considered for an enlarged non-tender submandibular gland. The incidence of temporary paresis of the lower branches of the facial nerve was 36% with full recovery, on average, 4 months after surgery. The low 'non-identification' approach to the submandibular gland appears to be the technique which offers the least likelihood of permanent damage to the lower branches of the facial nerve.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Poole General Hospital, Dorset.
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Markus
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005155:Facial Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000473:pathology; D013364:Submandibular Gland Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*