Transoral Submandibular Gland Excision: A Review of 43 Patients

Objectives: (1) Review our experience with trans-oral excision of the submandibular gland. (2) Compare outcomes of the transoral approach with the traditional transcervical approach. Methods: A retrospective chart review of prospectively collected data. Forty-three patients with benign submandibular gland pathology who underwent trans-oral excision of the submandibular gland from 2007-2013 were identified. Data pertaining to patient demographics, conversion to open approach, recurrence of disease, length of operative procedure, length of hospital stay, and incidence of neurologic complications were collected. Results: Forty-three patients underwent transoral excision of the submandibular gland over a 6-year period. Of the 43 procedures performed, 1 transoral case required conversion to an open procedure, and therefore 98.6% of patients avoided a neck scar. Thirty-four out of 42 (80%) of patients reported transient tongue parasthesias. No patient experienced hypoglossal or facial nerve dysfunction. Conclusions: Transoral submandibular gland excision is a safe and effective procedure. The approach allows for avoidance of an unsightly neck scar as well as lower rates of injury to the lingual, hypoglossal, and facial nerves when compared to a transcervical operation. This should become a routine part of the surgical armamentarium of the well-trained otolaryngologist.