[Prevention of post-irradiation xerostomia by submaxillary gland transposition]

Transposition of the contralateral submaxillary gland to the submental region is proposed as a method for preventing asialia following salivary gland irradiation during radiotherapy for oropharyngeal cancer. Good results were obtained in the majority of cases treated, salivary secretion being conserved, as confirmed by scintigraphy, but the method should be reserved for patients with oropharyngeal cancer without lymph node metastases on the contralateral side.