Minimally invasive video-assisted submandibular sialadenectomy: surgical technique and results from two institutions

Submandibular gland excision is traditionally performed using a transcervical approach. However, innovative surgical trials have recently been conducted to investigate techniques that can prevent or reduce visible scarring and nerve injury. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of a new approach to submandibular gland excision that is based on the use of a minimally invasive video-assisted technique and an ultrasound scalpel in an endoscopic neck surgery program with a low annual flow of procedures.

We retrospectively studied 15 patients with submandibular gland disease who underwent minimally invasive video-assisted submandibular sialadenectomy performed by two surgeons at two institutions. Eight patients had proximally located salivary calculi, three had chronic sialadenitis, and four had benign neoplasms. All dissections were carried out by a single-port gasless approach, using the Miccoli technique, involving endoscope magnification and an ultrasonic scalpel.

All 15 submandibular gland resections were performed successfully, with no conversions to conventional open resection. The operative time ranged from 45 to 125 min (median 84 min). A total of 67 % of patients were discharged the day after surgery, and the maximum length of stay was 3 days. One patient experienced postoperative bleeding, and one experienced postoperative infection. There was no neural injury. The incision scar healed well in all cases, and all patients reported excellent cosmetic results.

Endoscopic submandibular gland resection using a minimally invasive video-assisted technique, endoscopic magnification, and ultrasonic scalpel was feasible and resulted in excellent surgical outcomes.