Submandibular gland removal is a type of surgery. It removes a saliva gland below your lower jaw.
You may need this surgery if you have an infection or a tumor. Or you may need it if you have a blocked saliva duct. This duct is a tube that carries saliva from the gland to the mouth.
To do the surgery, the doctor makes a cut in your neck under your lower jaw. This cut is called an incision. Then he or she removes the gland and closes the incision with stitches or glue.
If your saliva duct is blocked, the doctor may also make a small incision under your tongue. Then the doctor can take out whatever is blocking the duct.
You will probably go home on the same day as the surgery. Taking out the gland won't leave you with a dry mouth. Our mouths have many saliva glands.
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
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Submandibular gland removal is surgery to take out a saliva gland below the lower jaw. The gland may have been removed because of infection, a tumor, or a blocked saliva duct. A saliva duct is a tube that carries saliva from the gland into the mouth.
The area below your jaw may be sore for several days after your surgery. The area also may be slightly swollen or bruised. It will probably take 1 to 2 weeks for the cut (incision) to heal.
If you have stitches in your incision, your doctor may need to remove them, or they may dissolve on their own. Ask your doctor about this. If your incision was closed with glue, the glue will peel off on its own in the weeks after your surgery.
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