Salivary gland diseases

Diseases of the salivary glands affect the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. The diseases include:

• Salivary stones: They can often be removed endoscopically through the mouth. Treatment: Large stones that are fixed are reduced or fragmented and removed via the duct system of the salivary gland. Removal of the gland is rarely necessary.
• Benign salivary gland tumors: Tumors of the salivary glands are usually benign. Treatment: They are removed microsurgically and nerve-sparingly – during the procedure, the facial nerve is monitored through neuromonitoring.
• Malignant salivary gland tumors: They are completely removed, as well as the gland and the adjacent lymph node. If the facial nerve needs to be removed due to aggressive tumors, various procedures are available for reconstruction or restoration of function and aesthetics of the face. Diagnostics: An endoscope is used to examine the salivary glands, i.e., the ducts. Stones can be crushed and removed at the same time.