Editing Excision of sublingual gland


== Anatomy ==

* Primarily need to stay lateral to plica sublingualis ''(sublingual fold)''
* Submandibular duct and lingual nerve lie medial to plica sublingualis
* Lingual nerve runs lateral to medial, under submandibular duct, to enter tongue
* Sublingual branches of lingual artery and vein also lie medial to plica sublingualis


== Technique ==

* Lacrimal probe into submandibular duct to identify course and prevent injury
* Longitudinal incision between plica sublingualis and mandible, from canine to first molar
* Dissect down to mylohyoid, starting laterally then proceeding medially
* Separate the gland free from the submandibular duct and lingual nerve/artery/vein medially
* Remove gland, primary closure

== Complications ==

* Lingual nerve injury 5%
* Submandibular duct injury 1%
* Lingual artery/vein bleeding 
* Infection

[[Category:ENT]]