Salivary Gland Tumours & Ductal Stones

## Condition Overview Salivary gland surgery treats tumours and stones of the parotid, submandibular, and minor salivary glands. Dr Cao provides diagnosis and surgical treatment, including superficial and total parotidectomy with careful facial nerve preservation, and removal of ductal stones. The salivary glands produce saliva and include the parotid glands (in front of the ears), submandibular glands (under the jaw), sublingual glands (under the tongue), and hundreds of minor salivary glands throughout the mouth and throat. ### Conditions treated: - **Benign tumours** — pleomorphic adenoma, Warthin's tumour (most common) - **Malignant tumours** — mucoepidermoid carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, acinic cell carcinoma, and others - **Sialolithiasis** (salivary duct stones) causing obstruction, pain, and infection - **Chronic sialadenitis** (recurrent infection/inflammation of salivary glands) ## Surgical Approach - **Superficial parotidectomy** — removal of the superficial lobe of the parotid gland for benign tumours, with careful facial nerve dissection and preservation - **Total parotidectomy** — removal of the entire parotid gland, often with facial nerve preservation, for more extensive disease - **Submandibular gland excision** — removal of the submandibular gland for tumours or chronic disease - **Sialendoscopy** — minimally invasive endoscopic removal of salivary duct stones Facial nerve monitoring is used for all parotid surgery to minimise the risk of facial weakness. ## What to Expect ### Before Surgery - Ultrasound and/or CT/MRI for tumour characterisation - Fine needle aspiration biopsy to determine if the tumour is benign or malignant - Discussion of risks, particularly facial nerve function ### During Surgery - Surgery is performed under general anaesthetic - Parotidectomy takes 1-3 hours; submandibular gland excision takes 45-90 minutes - A surgical drain is usually placed ### Recovery - Hospital stay of 1-2 nights - Drain removed within 24-48 hours - Temporary facial weakness is uncommon but can occur; permanent weakness is rare - Return to normal activities within 1-2 weeks