Management of Calculi in the Hilum of Submandibular Gland: Intraoral Removal with Marsupialization of the Duct

Jeong, Han Sin; Baek, Chung Hwan; Son, Young Ik; Chung, Kyu Whan; Lee, Dong Kyung; Kim, Joon Ho; Lee, Hyun Jong

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The excision of submandibular gland (SMG) has been commonly used for the treatment of calculi in the hilum of SMG, since intraoral removal of the hilar stone has the potential risk of lingual nerve injury and the poor surgical field. However, it would leave loss of remained gland function and external scars after the excision. Therefore, the authors modified the intraoral retrieval techniques as the marsupialization of the Wharton's duct up to the calculi in the hilum. This study reports our clinical experience with the modified intraoral retrieval technique and the advantages of this modality for calculi in the hilum of SMG. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: SMG excision and intraoral removal with marsupialization (IRM) were used from 1994 through 2003 to treat 9 and 16 cases of calculi in the hilum of SMG, respectively. We analyzed the characteristic findings of calculi, surgical morbidities and complications by comparing two different treatment groups. RESULTS: The mean diameter of the calculi was 6.1 mm in patients with SMG excision and 7.8 mm in patients with IRM. The success rate of extraction by IRM of calculi in the hilum were 86.7%. The surgical complications were similar in both groups. The proportion of palpable calculi were significantly increased in the IRM group (92.9% vs 22.2%). We failed to remove the stone by IRM from patients, and stones were impalpable intraorally preoperatively. CONCLUSION: IRM is an excellent alternative method for the removal of palpable calculi located in the hilum of SMG. Furthermore, it would preserve the salivary gland function without external scars and with acceptable surgical complications and morbidities.