FACIAL SURGERY

Salivary gland surgery

Swellings or lumps within the salivary glands are a relatively common problem and can be caused by blockages in the glands such as stones or mucus plugs, or can be due to tumours within the glands. These lesions need to be investigated carefully, usually with the use of imaging and sometimes biopsies.

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Salivary gland surgery — clinical reference

Quick answer about this procedure

QUICK ANSWER

Surgical management of salivary gland conditions including stones, mucus plugs and tumours. Depending on the cause, treatments can be possible with minimally invasive techniques (sialendoscopy), intra-oral stone release (IOSR), or the removal of a gland.

Procedure
Sialendoscopy / IOSR / gland removal
Anaesthesia
Local · Sedation · GA
Duration
30 min – 3 hrs
Stay
Day-stay or hospital
Recovery
1–3 weeks depending on procedure

IS THIS FOR YOU?

Salivary gland surgery is usually considered when:

  • There is recurrent painful swelling of a salivary gland, particularly with eating
  • Imaging confirms a stone (sialolithiasis) within a duct or gland
  • A persistent lump in a salivary gland needs definitive diagnosis
  • A salivary gland tumour requires surgical removal
  • Minimally invasive sialendoscopy may avoid open gland removal
WHO PERFORMS THIS

The surgeons who perform this procedure

Both surgeons listed below perform this procedure at OMS Specialists. Each carries dual qualifications in medicine and dentistry plus Fellowship from the Royal Australasian or English College.

Mr Richard Cobb, Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Mr Richard Cobb

Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

BDS · MBBS · MFDS(Eng) · MRCS(Eng) · DHMSA · FRCS(OMFS)

  • Oral Surgery
  • Jaw Surgery
  • Facial Surgery
  • Skin Surgery
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Mr Ryan Smit, Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Mr Ryan Smit

Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

BDS · MBChB · MRACDS(PDS) · FRACDS(OMS)

  • Oral Surgery
  • Jaw Surgery
  • Facial Surgery
  • Skin Surgery
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RECOVERY TIMELINE

Recovery timeline

  • 0–7 days

    Sialendoscopy / IOSR

    Day-stay procedure under local anaesthesia with sedation, or general anaesthesia. Soft diet, simple analgesia and rapid return to normal activity within a few days.

    Red flags · Severe swelling, fever over 38.5°C, or inability to swallow fluids.

  • 1–3 weeks

    Gland removal

    Hospital admission for open gland removal. Soft diet for several days, dressings to any external wound, and return to desk-based work usually within 1 to 2 weeks.

  • 1–6 months

    Long-term

    Continued healing and, where a gland has been removed, the remaining salivary glands compensate for normal saliva production over time.

RISKS & HONESTY

Risks we discuss before consent

  • Facial nerve injury (parotid)

    The branches of the facial nerve pass through the parotid gland. Careful surgical technique minimises the risk of temporary or permanent weakness of the muscles of facial expression.

  • Recurrence

    Stones and mucus plugs can recur after sialendoscopy or intra-oral stone release. Definitive gland removal is considered for recurrent cases.

  • Scarring

    Open gland removal leaves an external scar that fades over months. Sialendoscopy and intra-oral approaches leave no external scar.

  • Altered sensation or taste

    Numbness around the surgical site or altered taste can occur transiently and usually recovers.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

Common questions about salivary gland surgery

What is sialendoscopy?

Sialendoscopy is a minimally invasive technique using a tiny camera and instruments to access the salivary gland duct and remove stones or mucus plugs without external incisions. Depending on the cause, treatments can be possible with minimally invasive techniques (sialendoscopy), intra-oral stone release (IOSR), or the removal of a gland. Sialendoscopy is performed under sedation or general anaesthesia and most patients are home the same day.

How do I know if I need surgery or just observation?

Swellings or lumps within the salivary glands are a relatively common problem and can be caused by blockages in the glands such as stones or mucus plugs or can be due to tumours within the glands. These lesions need to be investigated carefully, usually with the use of imaging and sometimes biopsies. The treatment plan depends on the diagnosis and is discussed in detail at consultation.

Will I have a visible scar?

Sialendoscopy and intra-oral stone release leave no external scar. Open removal of a salivary gland (particularly the parotid) leaves an external scar that fades over months and is usually well-camouflaged in the natural skin creases.

Will I lose my sense of taste or have a dry mouth?

The salivary glands work together, and removing one gland rarely causes a noticeably dry mouth because the remaining glands compensate. Altered taste around the surgical site can occur transiently and usually recovers.

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