Transoral removal of proximal submandibular stone: report of 5 cases and review of the literature

ABSTRACT

The submandibular gland is the second largest major salivary gland, which secretes 40% of the total daily saliva. Owing to its anatomic characteristics as well as the high viscosity and basicity of the saliva, sialolithiasis is found most commonly in the submandibular gland. Sialolithiasis that cannot be treated by conservative treatment is conventionally removed by an excision of the submandibular gland. Generally, an excision of the submandibular gland is performed via an extra-oral approach but the disadvantages of this treatment include a risk of injuring the facial nerve and scar formation. Case reports have revealed an even less invasive intraoral surgical technique for the removal of sialolith that does not affect the submandibular gland function. The functional recovery of the gland, complications and recurrence rates after surgery with this conservative intraoral procedure were all successful. We report 5 patients from the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Dental Hospital, Yonsei University, who had undergone a resection of the sialolith though the intraoral approach with successful results.