Excision of sublingual gland
Anatomy
[edit | edit source]- 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
[edit | edit source]- 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
[edit | edit source]- Lingual nerve injury 5%
- Submandibular duct injury 1%
- Lingual artery/vein bleeding
- Infection