title: [Preliminary experience with endoscope-assisted transoral excision of the submandibular gland].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the indications, risks and benefits of endoscope-assisted transoral approach to excise the submandibular gland.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of a series of 12 patients treated by endoscope-assisted transoral submandibular gland excision was carried out. Of the 12 patients, 8 were chronic sialoadenitis (2 cases with sialolith), 3 were pleomorphic adenoma, and 1 was cyst of submandibular gland. Preoperatively, all patients were diagnosed as benign diseases by Ultrasonography, CT or MRI. Pathologic diagnosis of 8 cases were identified by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Temporary lingual sensory paresis and temporary limitation of tongue movement were found in two patients. However, these signs soon resolved spontaneously within 1 - 3 months. There were no other complications. Postoperatively, mean satisfaction score with cosmetic results was 10. All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic results. No recurrences were found in patients with pleomorphic adenoma with a follow-up period ranged from 12 months to 48 months (median follow-up period: 36 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscope-assisted transoral excision of the submandibular gland is a feasible and safe approach for the benign diseases of the submandibular gland. The major advantages of this approach are no external scar and no injury to the marginal mandibular nerve.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangzhou 510080, China.
authors.forename: Liang-Si
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Si-Yi
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiao-Ming
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Zhi-Juan
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Xiao-Ning
authors.initials: XN
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Xin-Han
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Jian-Dong
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Zhan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D013364:Submandibular Gland Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult