How To Treat A Salivary Gland Stone

Surgical Removal Of The Gland

If salivary gland stones keep recurring, one of the treatments doctors will consider is the surgical removal of one of the salivary glands. This prevents the recurrence of the stones since it removes the most common location for them to form. One of the salivary glands often considered for removal is the gland around the inner ear, which is known as the parotid gland. General anesthesia is used to put patients into a comfortable sleep. A cut is then made at the front of the ear and extended either down the neck or around the back of the ear. The gland is then removed and a tube is put into place to help drain blood that collects in the area. The tube will be removed the next day. Patients are also given stitches, which will have to be removed a week later.

Another salivary gland that can be removed is the sublingual gland. Patients are once again given general anesthesia and an incision is made beneath the tongue and near the inside of the lower teeth. The gland is removed and patients are given dissolvable stitches. The last salivary gland that can be removed is the submandibular gland. This procedure is similar to the others except the neck receives an incision.

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