SUBMANDIBULAR GLAND EXCISION FOR SIALOLITHIASIS IN PEDIATRIC POPULATION

Hacettepe Universitesi KBB ABD, KBB, Ankara, Türkiye Although pediatric submandibular sialolithiasis is a rare entity, it should be taken into consideration in pediatric cases with swelling of the neck. Sialolithiasis is the most common cause of the inflammatory diseases of major salivary glands and 87 % of this occurs in submandibular gland. Submandibular gland exicision is the standart treatment for all age groups in case of sialolithiasis. Due to close contiguity, marginal mandibular and hypoglossal nerve paresis, in permanent and temporary manner might be seen. The data of 15 pediatric patients under the age of eighteen-year-old with submandibular sialolithiasis, who underwent gland excision between 2002-2012 in Hacettepe University Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, were evaluated retrospectively. Medical records were examined for age, gender, symptoms, perioperative and postoperative complications. The age was ranging between 4- 18 years. Submandibular sialolithiasis was detected in the right submandibular gland at 8 patients (53%) and in the left gland at 7 cases (47 %). Submandibular swelling is the most common symptom (60 %). Transient paresis of marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve was the most common complication (33 %). One patient showed transient paresis of hypoglossal nerve. None of the cases had a permanent motor nerve palsy. Except four patients who had preoperative xerostomia, none of the patients complained about postoperative xerostomia. Hematoma formation and seroma did not seen in any of the patients. Keywords : Sialolithiasis, Submandibular Gland, Pediatric Population