You usually require a night in hospital following the surgery. It is unlikely to be very sore but regular painkillers will be arranged for you.
There is relatively little swelling following submandibular gland removal.
The length of time partly depends upon the degree of difficulty.
In an uncomplicated procedure it will take approximately 45 minutes to remove the submandibular gland.
The submandibular gland is removed under a general anaesthetic, i.e. you are put to sleep completely.
The operation involves a cut around two inches long (5cm) in the upper part of the neck just below the jaw line.
Once the gland has been removed the incision is held together again with stitches. These usually need to be removed around a week after surgery.
At the end of the operation a small tube is also placed through the skin into the underlying wound to drain any blood which may collect. This is usually removed on the morning following surgery.
The submandibular gland is a salivary gland about the size of a plum that lies immediately below the lower jaw. Saliva drains from it through a tube that opens on the inside of the mouth under the tongue immediately behind the lower front teeth.
The most common reason for removing a submandibular gland is as a result of infection that occurs if the tubes that drain saliva become blocked. Blockages usually arise as a result of stones.
Healing skin is very sensitive to sunlight and should be protected from the sun with high factor sun protection once the stitches have been removed.
Your surgeon may ask you to massage the area with a clean finger to improve the healing process.
If you are unhappy with the quality of your scar once the area has fully healed, then please ask your GP to re-refer you for a follow up appointment.
If the wound opens up then you should contact our department.
If there are any signs of infection, for example redness, pus or offensive smell from the wound, then visit A&E as you may need antibiotics.
Glue does not need to be removed. It will drop off by itself when the wound is healed.
It will be dissolved by soap, therefore avoid using soap on the affected area.
Steri strips can be removed at home or by your GP’s practice nurse after 5 – 7 days.
Moisten the wound with water and then carefully remove them.
Stitches should be removed on the ward, at a review clinic, or by your GP’s practice nurse. The surgeon will advise you how long they should remain in for.
As a general rule the following applies:
Depending on what type of wound you have sustained it may have been treated with stitches (sutures), paper stitches (steri strips) or glue.
For all wounds the following principles apply:
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