Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Surgery of The Salivary Glands - Dr. Walid Aboelwafa
Surgery of The Salivary Glands - Dr. Walid Aboelwafa
Surgery of The Salivary Glands - Dr. Walid Aboelwafa
I. PAROTID GLAND
Surgical Anatomy:
• It is a wedge-shaped, well-encapsulated gland on the lateral side of the face, that
secretes serous secretion.
• It has 2 lobes; superficial & deep, connected by an isthmus. The deep lobe
(segment) is lodged between the mastoid process posteriorly, the external
auditory meatus superiorly, and the ramus of the mandible anteriorly. Medially,
it reaches the styloid process. Anteriorly, the parotid gland overlaps the masseter
muscle, while posteriorly, it overlaps the sternomastoid muscle.
• Parotid Duct (Stenson’s Duct): It runs over the masseter, pierces the buccal pad
of fat & opens in the vestibule of the mouth behind the upper 2nd molar tooth.
• Structures Within the Parotid Gland:
1. ECA (it gives the posterior auricular artery just before entering the gland),
with its 2 terminal branches; superficial temporal & maxillary artery.
2. Retro-mandibular Vein (Posterior facial vein with its tributaries).
3. Facial Nerve: It enters the deep surface of the gland close to the
stylomastoid foramen & gives 5 branches inside the gland radiating
forwards superficial to the vein & artery.
4. Parotid Lymph Nodes.
• Surface Anatomy of the Parotid Gland:
Upper Border: From the tragus to the mastoid process.
Anterior Border: From the tragus to the posterior border of the masseter
opposite the angle of the mouth.
Inferior Border: From the anterior border to below & behind the angle of the
mandible.
Posterior Border: From the mastoid process to the inferior border.
• Surface Anatomy of the Parotid Duct: The parotid ducts corresponds to the
middle 1/3 of an imaginary line from the tragus of the ear to the midportion of
the upper lip.
1
• Cervical
o So we have 5 branches that leave the gland at its anterior border adherent to
the surface of the masseter muscle.
o The parotid is divided by an imaginary plane passing through the plane of
the facial nerve and its branches into superficial and deep lobes. This plane
is called faciovenous plane.
2
2. Acute Suppurative Parotitis (Parotid Abscess):
Etiology:
• The infective organism is usually staph. aureus, and the usual predisposing
factor is infected dry mouth.
• Infection spreads from the mouth through the duct into the gland i.e. retrograde,
or blood-borne.
• The parotid gland being enclosed in a dense capsule, is liable to fulminating
inflammation & necrosis due to increased tension within the tightly closed
fascial compartment. Causes include the following:
1. Following obstruction of Stenson’s duct by a stone.
2. Postoperative parotitis due to dehydration & electrolyte imbalance.
3. As a complication of debilitating diseases as typhoid, cholera and uremia due
to dehydration & reduced resistance to infection.
4. As a complication of septicemia & bad oral hygiene.
5. Idiopathic !
Clinical Picture:
1. General Manifestations: Fever, tachycardia, insomnia, anorexia & loss of
weight.
2. Local Manifestations:
• Skin Over is red & edematous, and tethered to the swelling.
• Size: The swollen gland may be 3-4 times larger than a normal gland.
• Tenderness & Temperature: The swelling is very tender and hot with
throbbing pain.
• Consistency: Brawny i.e. firm but indentable. It is not compressible.
• Fluctuation is difficult to elicit & is never waited for. Pus may exudate
from the duct orifice on palpation of the gland (diagnostic). A culture
should be done
• Relations: It can not be moved over the deep structures, and becomes more
prominent when the patient clenches his teeth by contracting the masseter
muscles.
• Lymph Drainage: The upper deep cervical L.Ns will be enlarged & tender.
• Movements of the temporo-mandibular joint are restricted.
• Facial nerve is intact. If neglected, pus tracks its way to the external
auditory meatus.
Complications:
1. Fistula formation, chronicity.
2. Local spread causing cellulitis.
3. Systemic spread of infection causing septicemia.
4. It may rupture into the external auditory meatus.
5. It may burrow its way along the carotid sheath.
Treatment:
1. Prophylactic: Good oral hygiene + correction of fluid & electrolyte
imbalance.
3
2. Medical Treatment: In early cases; warm fomentation, antibiotics, and
analgesics.
3. Surgical Treatment: Decompression of the parotid (Hilton’s method): Do not
wait for fluctuation. Under general anesthesia, a vertical incision is done in
the skin down to the parotid capsule. The capsule in incised transversely
along the course of the branches of the facial nerve to avoid their injury. Pus
is evacuated, a drain is put in the lower part, then closure is achieved.
Complications of this procedure include parotid fistula & facial nerve injury.
4. Mikulicz Syndrome:
• Chronic, symmetrical, bilateral enlargement of all salivary glands &
lacrimal glands.
• It is an autoimmune disease.
• It may accompany sarcoidosis, reticulosis, TB & Sjogren’s syndrome.
5. Sjogren’s Syndrome:
• Primary:
• It is similar to Mikulicz syndrome but associated with xerostomia &
xerophthalmia.
• The gland is hard & nodular.
• Massive lymphocytic infiltration with high incidence of lymphomtous
infiltration.
• Secondary:
• Similar to the primary type but in addition there are manifestations of
connective tissue disease as RA.
• It predisposes to lymphoma of the parotid gland but in a smaller % than in
primary.
4
• It mostly affects the parotid or submandibular from a nearby LN.
• It may be associated with systemic manifestations of TB as fever, night
sweating & anemia.
• The gland is firm & nodular but may become cystic with sinuses.
• R: Specific therapy of TB for 1 year + SAN regimen.
B) Sarcoidosis:
• Resembles TB but with no caseation.
• Other sites of affection include mediastinum.
C) Actinomycosis:
• Characterized by sulphur granules.
D) Cat scratch disease:
• A disease caused by infection with a gram negative bacillus called
Bartonella henslae from contact with cats, thought in the past to be a fungal
infection.
Treatment:
1. Good oral hygiene & antibiotics.
2. Removal of the offending cause e.g. stone.
3. Injection of antiseptic solutions through the duct.
4. In refractory cases we can do tympanic neurectomy stopping the parasympathetic
flow to the gland which then dries up.
5. Parotidectomy.
FREY’S SYNDROME
Definition:
• It is a syndrome that may complicate incision of parotid abscess due to injury
of the auriculo-temporal nerve.
Clinical Presentation:
• When the patient eats, the cheek becomes red, hot & painful; this is followed by
beads of perispiration (sweating).
• Starch-iodine test (B&L).
Pathogenesis:
• The severed axis cylinders conveying secretory impulses grow down the sheath
of the cutaneous elements of the nerve; thus, a stimulus intended for saliva
stimulation, evokes hyperaesthesia & sweating.
Treatment:
• Nerve avulsion of auriculo-temporal nerve &/or tympanetic neurectomy.
• Injection of Botulinum toxin into the skin of the affected area.
5
TUMORS OF THE PAROTID GLAND
The parotid gland is the gland of tumors, while the submandibular gland is the
gland of stones
CLASSIFICATION (Ackermann):
A. Benign Tumors:
1. Pleomorphic Adenoma (Mixed Salivary Tumor).
2. Monomorphic Adenoma:
a) Adenolymphoma (Warthin’s Tumor = Papillary Cystadenoma
Lymphomatosum).
b) Oxyphilic Adenoma (Oncocytoma).
3. Other Tumors:
a) Connective Tissue Tumors (lipoma, fibroma, hemangioma, neurofibroma).
b) Cysts (Branchial cysts, epidermoid cysts).
c) Benign Lymphoepithelial Tumor (Godwin’s Tumor).
B. Malignant Tumors:
1. Carcinoma:
a) Malignant Mixed Salivary Tumor (carcinoma ex-pleomorphic
adenoma=Carcino-sarcoma).
b) Adenocarcinoma:
i- Adenoid cystic Carcinoma (old name = cylindroma).
ii- Oxyphilic Carcinoma (Malignant Oncocytoma).
iii- Acinar (Serous) Carcinoma.
c) Muco-epidermoid Carcinoma (Low grade, high grade).
e) Undifferentiated Carcinoma.
f) SCC.
2. Lymphoma:
3. Non- epithelial tumors:
a) Haemangioma, vascular malformation.
b) Neurofibroma, neurilemmoma.
c) Sarcomas.
4. Unclassified & allied conditions:
a) Mikulicz syndrome.
b) Sjogren's syndrome.
c) Benign epithelial lesions.
6
A. BENIGN TUMORS
7
Malignant It is a potentially malignant (5-10%) Exceptional but documented (epithelium
Transformation: & not a locally malignant tumor. → adeno or epidermoid carcinoma,
Epithelium → duct carcinoma, CT Lymphoid component → lymphoma).
→ chondrosarcoma.
Treatment: 1. Conservative Parotidectomy: 1. Conservative Parotidectomy.
• Removal of the superficial 2. Resection-Enucleation (Enucleation by
lobe &/or deep lobe with extra-capsular excision): It is usually
preservation of the facial sufficient as it is well capsulated &
nerve. does not recur.
• The flaps are raised & the
facial nerve is exposed at the
stylomastoid foramen & all its
5 branches are followed to
avoid their injury.
2. Enucleation (removal from
within its capsule) is never done.
It has a high recurrence rate.
B. MALIGNANT TUMORS
Incidence:
• Cancer parotid represents < 1% of all body cancer, and about 20% of all parotid
tumors.
• It is either De novo or on top of pleomeorphic adenoma???!!!
Sex: males > Females. (Browse: Male = Female).
Age: Above 50 Years.
Spread:
1. Local → nearby organs (masseter muscle, skin, ramus of the mandible).
2. Lymphatic → to the intra- and peri-glandular nodes. The next echelon of
lymphatics for the parotid is the upper jugular nodal chain.
3. Hematogenous (very late) → Mainly to lungs & bones particularly the vertebral
column.
8
4. Adenoid cystic carcinoma (cylindroma) tends to grow through peri-neural
lymphatics with 1)increased risk of nerve affection, which should be sacrificed,
2)increased rate of recurrence, 3)increased risk of intra-cranial extension.
Investigations:
1. Plain X-Ray: To the mandible (to exclude bone invasion) & chest (for lung
metastases).
2. Sialogram: Irregular filling defect.
3. US: Diagnoses a stone, cyst & extension of the mass.
4. CT: Describes the character of a mass, its relation to nearby organs, the
capsule…etc.
5. MRI.
6. PET.
7. Angiography.
8. Radioactive Isotope Scanning using 99cTm.
9. Biopsy:
• Core-Needle Biopsy, or Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology: Disadvantages
include: false +ve & -ve results, it may cause seedling of tumor cells & can
not show the tumor type.
• Frozen-Section Biopsy: It is accurate in showing malignant cells & helpful in
detecting the extent of surgery needed (free margins). However, it can not
identify the tumor type !.
• Incisional Biopsy: If there is invasion of the skin. It shows the tumor type,
tumor grade & invasion.
• The least accepted surgical biopsy is superficial parotidectomy.
Differential Diagnosis:
Point of Difference Benign Tumor Malignant Tumor
1. Rate of Growth: • Slow • Rapid
2. Sex: • Female • Male
3. Age: • Below 40 years • Above 50 years
4. Pain: • Absent • Present (30%)
5. Mobility: • Mobile • Fixed
6. Consistency : • Firm or cystic • Hard
7. Facial Nerve: • Free • Affected (Facial palsy) (30%)
8. Cervical Lymph Nodes:
• Not enlarged • May be enlarged
9. Local or Distant Metastases:
• Absent • May be Present
10. Sialogram:
11. Biopsy: • Regular filling defect • Irregular filling defect
• No malignant cells • Malignant cells - invasion
9
Treatment
A. Operable Cases:
a) For the Tumor:
1. Superficial Parotidectomy: For small tumors confined to superficial lobe & of
low-grade malignancy.
2. Total Parotidectomy: For tumors of the deep lobe, superficial tumors
infiltrating the deep lobe, and high-grade rapidly growing malignant tumors.
3. Radical parotidectomy: means sacrificing the facial nerve.
B. Inoperable Cases:
Radiotherapy is used (although there is poor response) in presence of local fixation,
fixed cervical lymph nodes, and distant metastases.
Differential Diagnosis:
10
2. Subcutaneous Cyst: Dermoid cyst.
3. Parotid Cystic Swellings: Parotid cyst (probably derived from 1st branchial
cleft)- adenolymphoma.
4. Pseudo-cyst: Hematoma, Abscess.
11
II. SUBMANDIBULAR GLAND
Surgical Anatomy:
• It is a major salivary gland that secretes seromucinous saliva.
• It lies partly under cover of the mandible, and is made of a large superficial part
& a small deep part. The superficial part lies in the digastric triangle, reaching
upward under cover of the mandible & separated posteriorly from the parotid
gland by the stylo-mandibular ligament.
• The deep part extends forward and its anterior end reaches as far as the sublingual
gland. It is related to the mucosa of the floor of the mouth, so it can be felt
bidigitally.
• The gland is covered by a capsule derived from the general investing layer of the
neck.
• Hypoglossal nerve lies deep to the gland on the hyoglossus muscle and also is the
lingual nerve which hook on the submandibular duct making the famous triple
relation.
• The marginal branch of the facial nerve runs in the sub-platysmal plane superficial
to the gland, one centimeter below the mandible.
• Its duct (Wharton’s Duct) emerges from the anterior end of the deep part of the
gland opens in the oral cavity on the summit of a small papilla, near the frenulum
of the tongue.
• The submandibular gland is supplied by branches of the facial & lingual arteries.
The veins drain into the facial & lingual veins, while the lymph vessels drain into
the submandibular & deep cervical lymph nodes.
12
3. The end of the duct opens in the floor of the mouth & is more liable to be
obstructed by inflammation, and foreign bodies.
4. High salt content (stones consist of calcium carbonate & phosphate &
magnesium phosphate).
Clinical Picture:
1. Submandibular swelling (firm or hard simulating a tumor) which increases in size
with meals.
2. Pain associated with meal intake, smell or sight (to differentiate it from dental
pain).
3. Lemon Juice Test: Intake of lemon juice causes increase in pain & size of the
swelling.
4. Oral Examination of the Orifice of the Duct: reveals saliva pouring on the
unaffected side, whereas little or no secretion is seen ejected from the swollen
(affected) side.
5. Bidigital Examination (finger in the mouth & finger outside): The swelling or a
stone may be felt.
Complications:
• If the condition is not treated, it can be complicated by abscess or salivary fistula
to the skin.
Investigations:
1. Plain X-Ray:
• An intra-oral film in the occlusal or oblique view of the mandible may
show the stone. Most of the stones of the parotid are translucent, while
most of those of the submandibular are trans-opaque.
2. Sialogram: May show filling defect (if stone is translucent).
3. US: Can visualize the stone and comment of the dilatation of the duct system
if present.
Treatment:
• Meatal stone → Meatotomy & extraction of the stone + good oral hygiene.
• Intra-ductal stone → Direct incision on the stone without closure, after nerve
block or general anesthesia.
• Juxta-glandular stone → Submandibular sialadenectomy is mandatory as
extraction of the tone trans-orally is extremely hazardous for possibility of
injury of the lingual nerve which hooks around the duct at this point.
• Intra-glandular stone → Submandibular sialadenectomy.
The procedure:
The operation is done from a transverse incision 2 cms below the mandible
to safeguard the marginal branch of the VII. Ligate the facial artery and vein
twice, once when it leaves the upper border of the gland and then as it enters
13
the posterior pole of the gland. Ligate and cut the duct after freeing it from
the lingual nerve. The same operation is done for submandibular tumours.
Investigations:
• Routine Investigations.
• Plain X-ray: for detection of the stone (chronic sialadenitis) or infiltration of the
mandible (cancer).
• Sialography: filling defect (stone).
• Biopsy (FNAC).
Treatment:
Benign Tumor → Submandibular sialadenectomy.
Malignant Tumor → Submandibular sialadenectomy + radical neck dissection of
lymph nodes if they were involved & partial mandibulectomy if the mandible was
involved.
14
15
III. SUBLINGUAL GLAND
Clinical Picture:
• Age & Sex: It affects children & young adults, of both sexes equally.
• Symptoms: A swelling in the floor of the mouth. It usually ruptures & refills
again.
• Examination:
Sites: In the angle between the tongue & the floor of the mouth, usually to one
side of the midline. If it lies in the midline, it becomes constricted by the
frenulum → hour-glass appearance.
Varies in size from 1 to 5 cm in diameter.
It is spherical (but only the top half is seen).
Smooth, covered by tortuous veins & the submandibular duct is displaced &
stretched over it.
A ranula is soft, usually fluctuant, but can not be compressed or reduced.
Characteristically translucent, with a bluish tinge.
Treatment:
• Partial Excision (Marsupilization):
Removal of the dome of the cyst
with the overlying mucous
membrane, followed by suture of the
cut edge of the mucous membrane so
that the floor of the cyst forms part
of the floor of the mouth.
NB: Plunging or
Thomson’s ranula or
deep cervical Ranula:
• This type is rare & is considered as a mucous retention cyst not extravasation one.
• Arising from sublingual or submandibular gland & extends into the
submandibular region through mylohyoid diaphragm. Patients present with a
dumb-bell shaped swelling that is soft cystic and painless.
• Treatment is through cervical approach removing the cyst, sublingual and
submandibular glands.
16
• There are more than 400 minor salivary glands in the oral cavity, pharynx &
paranasal sinuses.
• Major and minor salivary glands secrete from 1-1.5 litres of saliva daily.
Clinical Picture:
• Symptomless, swelling, firm or hard, mobile or fixed, ulcerating or not, if
malignant, it invades the underlying bone.
Diagnosis:
• Biopsy is essential for diagnosis.
Treatment:
• The tumor should be widely excised with a safety margin to avoid recurrence.
• Radical neck dissection may be needed in case of lymph node involvement.
17
18