Salivary Gland Surgery in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is salivary gland surgery?
Salivary gland surgery is a group of operations on the glands that make saliva. The two largest pairs are the parotid glands, which sit in front of each ear and over the angle of the jaw, and the submandibular glands, which lie just under the jawbone. Each gland drains saliva into the mouth through a narrow duct, and most problems come either from a lump growing in the gland or from a stone or narrowing blocking the duct.
Three procedures cover most of this work:
| Procedure | What it treats | How it is done |
|---|---|---|
| Parotidectomy | A lump in the parotid gland | Removal of the part of the gland holding the lump, through an incision in front of the ear |
| Submandibular gland removal | A lump, repeated infection or a stone deep in the gland | Removal of the whole gland through an incision in a crease below the jaw |
| Sialendoscopy | Stones and narrowing in the duct | A fine scope passed through the duct opening inside the mouth, with no skin incision |
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, all three are performed in-house by the general surgical team.
Who needs it
Salivary gland problems show themselves in two main ways. A painless lump in front of the ear or under the jaw that stays or slowly grows is the usual reason for parotidectomy or submandibular gland removal. Most parotid lumps are benign, and the most common type, called a pleomorphic adenoma, keeps growing slowly, which is why removal is usually recommended while it is small.
Swelling and pain that come on at mealtimes, when the gland is making saliva, point to a blocked duct. The swelling often eases within an hour or two of eating, and repeated blockage can lead to infection. Sialendoscopy is the first choice for a stone or narrowing within reach of the scope, and it keeps the gland in place.
Assessment starts with examination of the mouth and neck and an ultrasound of the gland. A lump is usually sampled with a fine needle, as described on the ultrasound guided biopsy page, and an MRI scan shows its size and depth. The wider work-up of a neck swelling is set out on the neck lump assessment page. The surgeon explains which procedure fits your findings, and alternatives such as monitoring a very small lump, and the choice is made together.
What happens
Parotidectomy and submandibular gland removal are performed under general anaesthesia. Sialendoscopy is usually done under general anaesthesia too, and small cases are sometimes done under local anaesthetic.
The facial nerve is the main focus of parotid surgery. This nerve controls the muscles you use to close your eye, smile and raise your eyebrows, and it runs right through the parotid gland, dividing into branches like the fingers of a hand. In a parotidectomy, the surgeon first finds the main trunk of the facial nerve where it leaves the skull, then follows each branch forward, lifting the lump and surrounding gland away while keeping the nerve intact. The incision runs in front of the ear and curves into a crease below the jaw, so it sits in natural lines.
In submandibular gland removal, the surgeon works through a crease below the jawline and protects the small nerve branch to the lower lip and the nerves to the tongue while the gland is lifted out.
In sialendoscopy, the surgeon gently widens the natural opening of the duct inside the cheek or under the tongue and passes a thin camera along it. Small stones are caught in a tiny wire basket and removed; a narrowing can be stretched. Larger stones may need a small cut inside the mouth.
After open surgery, a small drain often stays in for a short time. Removed tissue is sent to the laboratory.
Preparing for it
A pre-operative assessment and anaesthetic review confirm you are ready. Bring your ultrasound, MRI and needle sample reports and a full list of your medicines; blood thinners need a plan agreed with the team, and you receive clear fasting instructions. Men having parotid or submandibular surgery are asked to shave the side of the face on the day.
If you plan surgery around Ramadan, raise it early, because keeping saliva flowing matters after gland and duct surgery.
Afterwards
After a parotidectomy, numbness of the earlobe and the skin in front of the ear is common and usually eases gradually. Some swelling under the jaw is normal after submandibular surgery. After sialendoscopy, the gland may swell for a day or two as saliva flows freely again.
Drink water often, and suck sour sweets or lemon slices when advised, to keep saliva moving through the duct. In the Sharjah heat, dehydration thickens saliva, so steady fluids matter as the gland recovers. Keep the wound clean and dry, and use gentle mouthwashes after a cut inside the mouth. Your surgeon gives you a personal timeline for work and exercise, and discusses the laboratory result at follow-up.
Contact the hospital urgently if you notice new weakness in your face, such as difficulty closing an eye, or if the wound becomes red, hot or swollen with a fever. **Go to the emergency department straight away if the neck swells rapidly or you have difficulty breathing or swallowing.**
Cost and insurance
Most UAE insurance plans cover salivary gland surgery when it is medically needed, and pre-approval is usually required with the ultrasound, MRI and biopsy reports. Sialendoscopy is sometimes approved under a different procedure code, so confirm it separately. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of salivary gland surgery?
Salivary gland surgery carries the risks of any operation, including bleeding, infection and a reaction to the anaesthetic. After parotidectomy, temporary weakness of part of the face can occur and usually recovers over weeks to months; lasting weakness is uncommon. Other risks include earlobe numbness, a dip in the face contour and a leak of saliva under the skin. Sialendoscopy can occasionally leave a narrowing or fail to clear a stone.
Will parotid surgery affect my face?
Parotid surgery is performed around the facial nerve, which controls facial expression, and the surgeon finds and protects it throughout. Temporary weakness of the smile or eyelid can occur while the nerve recovers from handling, and your surgeon explains your own risk based on the size and position of the lump.
What is gustatory sweating after parotidectomy?
Gustatory sweating, also called Frey syndrome, is sweating or flushing of the cheek while eating that can develop months after a parotidectomy. It happens when nerve fibres that once served the gland regrow into the skin's sweat glands, and treatment is available if it becomes bothersome.
Can I live without a salivary gland?
You can live comfortably without one submandibular gland or part of a parotid gland, because the remaining major glands and hundreds of tiny glands in the lining of the mouth keep producing saliva. Most people notice no lasting dryness.
Is a parotid lump cancer?
Most parotid lumps are benign, and the most common type is a slow-growing tumour called a pleomorphic adenoma. A minority are cancerous, so every lump is assessed with a scan and a needle sample, and the removed tissue is examined in the laboratory to give a definite answer.
Why does my gland swell when I eat?
A salivary gland that swells when you eat usually has a blocked duct, most often from a stone or a narrowing. Eating triggers saliva production, the saliva backs up behind the blockage, and the gland swells until it slowly drains.
Does sialendoscopy leave a scar?
Sialendoscopy leaves no skin scar because the scope enters through the natural opening of the duct inside the mouth. A small cut inside the mouth is sometimes needed for a larger stone, and it heals within the mouth lining.
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