The use of sialodochoplasty in the treatment of benign inflammatory obstructive submandibular gland disease.

One of the most common causes of submandibular gland enlargement is benign inflammatory disease. The usual cause is ductal outflow obstruction due to either a calculus or stenosis allowing stasis and retrograde movement of the saliva into the acinar structures leading to an inflammatory response and gland enlargement. Faced with a submandibular mass, a work-up that will rule out neoplastic causes of submandibular enlargement is instituted. This includes clinical assessment, probing of the gland, radiocontrast sialography, and CT scanning. The treatment should reflect the obstructive nature of the disease. Plastic reconstruction of the duct allows the removal of calculi, shortening of the duct, and enlargement of the outflow opening preventing recurrence and allowing healing of the gland. The procedure is performed intraorally as an outpatient, does not disrupt oral functioning, or subject the patient to the risks of gland removal or loss of that organ's function. Our experience with 27 patients over a 7-year period is presented with a detailed description of the technique and an analysis of the results. The procedure was successful in 22 of the 27 patients.