Modified submandibular sialoadenectomy.

Submandibular sialoadenectomy is a common head and neck procedure. Indications include the presence of benign and malignant tumors and inflammatory disease with or without intraglandular sialolithiasis. The standard technique involves a variably sized incision. The facial artery and vein are usually ligated and transected during the procedure, and either suction or nonsuction wound drainage is generally instituted. We describe a modified sialoadenectomy technique that involves a minimal incision, preserves the facial artery and vein, and does not require wound drainage because the surgical site is closed in three layers. We performed this procedure on 19 patients and observed only 1 postoperative complication--mild paresis of the right marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve following the excision of a Warthin's tumor: This patient recovered fully 3 months postoperatively.