Surgery for Submandibular and Sublingual Gland Tumors

KQ 5.1–5.2. Submandibular gland resection can lead to nerve damage to the lingual, hypoglossal, and facial nerves. Preventive measures include careful incision and dissection, particularly in malignancy cases where lymph node dissection is essential. Intraoperative nerve monitoring may aid in reducing injuries. For sublingual gland resection, protecting the lingual nerve and the Wharton’s duct is crucial, and sialodochoplasty is used to repair inadvertent duct injuries. KQ 5.3. Sialolithiasis is the most common cause of obstructive salivary gland disease. Recently, most stones can be successfully extracted using transoral approaches, eliminating the need for external surgical scars on the neck. During transoral approaches, the surgeon encounters several important anatomical structures, such as the lingual nerve and sublingual gland. Injury to these structures can result in postoperative complications. Therefore, the surgeon must be mindful of the surgical anatomies and their relationships to prevent potential complications, such as tongue hypoesthesia and the development of a ranula. KQ 5.4. Ranulas occur when the sublingual gland is damaged during surgery. The sublingual gland covers the lingual nerve and duct, making stone removal a major obstacle. The sublingual gland is dissected or excised during this procedure, which may increase the risk of ranula formation.