Submandibular glands are major salivary glands located beneath the jaw, one on each side. Their role is to produce saliva, which is delivered into the oral cavity through a duct.
The most common issue with the submandibular salivary glands is duct obstruction, which can be caused by a narrowing or the formation of a small stone within the duct. Since the saliva produced by the submandibular gland is thick, this condition leads to a sudden, painful swelling of the gland, usually after eating. In some cases, the swelling subsides on its own. However, in other cases, it may lead to persistent inflammation that requires antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication.
Additionally, like the parotid glands, tumors can develop within the submandibular salivary glands, and these can be malignant (cancerous) in 50% of cases.
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia with a small incision hidden in a wrinkle on the neck. The meticulous suturing with plastic surgery techniques at the end of the procedure ensures an excellent cosmetic result. The process typically takes about 1 hour. The hospital stay is 1-2 days. A small drainage tube placed along the incision line is usually removed the day after surgery, and the stitches are removed in 12-15 days. The patient can return to work in 2 weeks.