Surgical management of nonneoplastic diseases of the submandibular gland. A follow-up study.

A total of 233 patients with nonneoplastic diseases of the submandibular gland were treated between 1966 and 1992 at the otorhinolaryngology department of the University of Göttingen. Of them, 212 patients (91%) suffered from sialadenitis with or without sialolithiasis, and 21 (9%) suffered from other diseases. The first part of the present study analyzes the clinical data with regard to history, symptoms, and therapy. It was found that in most cases (77%) extirpation of the affected gland had been the standard operation. In the second part, the surgical procedures applied are critically assessed. Extirpation of the submandibular gland proved to be an effective therapy in all patients. Side-effects were rare. The management of chronic sialadenitis caused by calculi should include extirpation of the submandibular gland. In case of calculi not causing inflammatory disease, lithotripsy should be considered.