Experimental approach to surgical treatment of lacrimal insufficiency by microvascular submandibular salivary gland autotransplantation.

When compared to the parotid duct transposition, the microvascular submandibular salivary gland autotransplantation presents the advantage of providing a more viscous tear substitute, and a basal flow rate unaffected by meals. If future attempts to re-innervate the graft are successful, this procedure could be promising in restoring an acceptable lacrimal function in severe xerophthalmia.