title: [Surgical results of submandibular gland excision].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Extirpation of the submandibular gland is the standard treatment for benign disease in cases where conservative treatment fails. This study attempts a follow-up focusing on: the effectiveness of the treatment, the number of complications and the long-term complaints related to this surgical procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 110 patients who, due to benign disease, underwent submandibular gland excision at our hospital during 1989-1995. All the patients had their charts reviewed and were invited for a follow-up consultation, with an examination and an interview about complaints arising after the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average follow-up time was 7.2 years (range 3.3 to 9.4 years) and 72 patients (65.5%) reported back for follow-up. Sixty-eight of the examined patients (92%) reported relief from their preoperative symptoms. Forty-three patients (42%) had complications in connection with their surgery and fifteen patients (15%) needed a reoperation. The most frequent postoperative complaints were dryness of the mouth and reduced function of the marginal branch of the facial nerve.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most of the patients achieved relief of symptoms after surgery. There were a high number of complications, but most of these were of minor severity and temporary. The frequency of palsy in the submandibular branch decreased with time after operation while the frequency of oral dryness increased with time. Excision of the submandibular gland is an effective low-risk treatment for benign disease in the submandibular gland.
authors.affiliation: Ore-naese-hals-afdelingen, Amtssygehuset i Gentofte.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Winkel
authors.forename: T I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Overgaard
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Balle
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Charabi
mesh_terms: D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012086:Reoperation; D013364:Submandibular Gland Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013365:Submandibular Gland Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome