A Modified Technique in Submandubular Salivary Gland Excision: Preservation of Facial Artery

Cutting and ligation of facial artery is the conventional practice for excision of submandibular gland. Facial artery is the main arterial supply to the lower face. Its preservation results in preservation of large proportion of vascularity to the lower face, preserves vascularity of platysma myocutaneous flap, allows repair of lower lip using Bernard's technique; facial artery is one of the most important recipient artery for microvascular free flap in modern reconstructive surgery in head and neck oncology. This prospective study was carried out in Department of Otolaryngology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from October 2005 to October 2012 on 31 cases. Chronic submandibular sialoadenitis, benign submandibular gland tumours and cases of neck dissection where level I cervical lymph nodes were not involved by metastasis were included in this study. The facial artery was identified proximal to the gland and was dissected free from the gland by ligating or cauterizing its glandular branches to mobilize the gland. Appropriate anatomical aspects were noted and the time required for separation of the artery from the gland was recorded. Thirty-one consecutive cases were studied. The indications were chronic sialoadenitis (67.7%), pleomorphic adenoma (12.9%) and as a part of neck dissection for oncologic clearance of neck (19.4%). The mean duration of time for separation of the artery from the gland was 10.26 minutes. In two cases the facial artery could not be safely separated due to excessive adhesion from chronic inflammation. No significant complications were noted. Preservation of facial artery in submandibular gland excision is a simple procedure. So it should not be routinely sacrificed during this surgery.