Sialocele Research Paper

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Salivary gland cysts or sialoceles can occur without any identifiable cause but usually are a complication of surgical or physical trauma to the major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, or sublingual glands). These glandular structures are associated with a network of ductal systems that allow saliva to flow from the glands to the oral cavity. When trauma disrupts the continuity of this association between gland and duct, saliva can no longer flow into the oral cavity. This can lead to accumulation of saliva in the surrounding tissues or the gland itself, otherwise known as a sialocele. A sialocele can caused by physical trauma to glandular structures (e.g. accident, facial trauma), surgical trauma to glandular structures (e.g. after …show more content…

These physicians carefully dissect around the delicate structures that overlie and surround the salivary glands thereby preventing potentially serious complications such as facial paralysis, taste distortion, and disfigurement. Once resection of the affected salivary gland has been completed, proper management of the remaining glandular tissues is crucial to avoid sialocele formation. An experienced specialist will ensure that after removing or altering the glandular structure, they identify and seal off any left over tributaries to the ductal system. This painstaking and advanced technique inhibits sialocele formation by preventing saliva from pooling within surrounding tissues of the cheek. The proper postoperative care comprised of close followup and dietary modifications are also important factors in sialocele prevention. A salivary gland specialist will closely follow you and examine your surgical site for proper drain management, wound healing, scar formation, and infection prevention. Special compressive dressings and small drains are placed at the surgical site to promote proper fluid drainage as well as to close off any potential areas where saliva can accumulate. In addition to suppressing sialocele formation, this deters bacterial

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