The role of submandibular salivary gland transfer in preventing xerostomia in the chemoradiotherapy patient.
BACKGROUND
Xerostomia is a significant morbidity of radiation therapy in the management of head and neck cancers. The hypothesis is that the surgical transfer of 1 submandibular salivary gland to the submental space outside of the proposed radiation field, before starting radiation treatment would prevent xerostomia.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the potential role of submandibular salivary gland transfer in reducing or preventing xerostomia in head and neck patients receiving chemoradiotherapy.


METHODS
We conducted a prospective clinical trial in which the submandibular gland was transferred to the submental space as an independent surgical procedure, followed by chemoradiotherapy. The patients were followed clinically, with salivary flow studies, nuclear medicine salivary gland scans, and the University of Washington quality of life questionnaire.


RESULTS
We report the results of 8 patients who have undergone this procedure. All of the transferred salivary glands were positioned outside of the proposed radiation fields; were partially shielded from radiation and were functional. All of the patients completed their treatment. Four patients did not have xerostomia-related complaints, and 3 patients had only minor symptoms on subjective assessment. There were no surgical complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical transfer of a submandibular salivary gland to the submental space (outside the radiation field) preserves its function and minimizes the development of radiation-induced xerostomia.
Al-Qahtani
Khalid
K
Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. k_qahtani2001@yahoo.com
Hier
Michael P
MP
Sultanum
Khalil
K
Black
Martin J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002680:Chin; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000637:transplantation*; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents