Microvascular submandibular gland transfer for severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca: operation key points, prevention and management of complications.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize operation key points, prevention and management of complications in vascularized autotransplantation of submandibular gland for treatment of severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca.


METHODS
23 patients with severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca were treated by this procedure. Postoperative (99m)Tc images, follow-up studies, and management of complications were performed.


RESULTS
The transplantations were successful in 19 cases, whose symptoms of xerophthalmia disappeared. The patients could stop applying artificial tears. In 4 patients the transplanted glands did not survive. Epiphora occurred in 5 cases. They were successfully treated by reducing the size of the graft. Obstruction of the Wharton's duct took place in one case and was treated by reconstructing the duct. When the superficial temporal vein was too small, venous bridging was applied. To select a relevant vein for anastomosis, blood oozing from the three veins was carefully inspected prior cutting off the gland when the external maxillary artery was preserved and was infused with heparin after the gland had been freed.


CONCLUSIONS
If every point has been properly managed, the successful rate of operation could be warranted.
Yu
Guangyan
G
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China.
Zhu
Zhenghong
Z
Mao
Chi
C
Cai
Zhigang
Z
Zou
Liuhe
L
Lü
Lan
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007638:Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome