Submandibular sialoadenectomy with local anesthesia in the era of minimally invasive surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the feasibility and advantages of submandibular sialoadenectomy under local anesthesia.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective clinical study.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twenty patients with benign submandibular masses underwent submandibular sialoadenectomy. The procedure was carried out under local anesthesia (LA) in 12 patients and general anesthesia (GA) in 8 patients. The patient and tumor characteristics, as well as treatment outcome or complications, were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

There was no conversion from LA to GA. Nine patients in the LA group could be discharged as day-case surgery versus none in the GA group, P = 0.001. The postoperative hospital stay was also much shorter in the LA group: 0.4 day vs 2.0 days, P < 0.001. Postoperative vomiting occurred in only two of the eight patients of the GA group. Complication rate was similar.

CONCLUSION

Submandibular sialoadenectomy under local anesthesia is feasible. It can shorten the hospital stay and facilitate day-case surgery.