Healthy and Aesthetic Solutions Without Fear of Facial Paralysis: Salivary Gland Diseases and Surgery
Say goodbye to sudden, painful swelling under your chin while eating, recurring salivary gland infections, or lumps appearing in front of your ears. In this delicate anatomy intertwined with your facial nerves, we work with advanced nerve monitors and aesthetic (hidden) incision techniques, safeguarding both your health and the perfect symmetry of your face.
What are salivary gland diseases and why do they require delicate surgery?
Saliva, which moistens the inside of our mouths and initiates digestion, is produced primarily by three large glands: the parotid gland (in front of the ear), the submandibular gland (under the jaw), and the sublingual gland (under the tongue). Due to dehydration or genetic predisposition, salivary gland stones (sialolithiasis) can form in the ducts of these glands. When a stone blocks the duct, the gland swells suddenly, especially when eating, causing severe pain. Another common problem is the formation of slow-growing, usually benign, masses within these glands (e.g., pleomorphic adenoma). Surgery may be necessary in the treatment of these conditions. However, the facial nerve, which gives us facial expressions like smiling and frowning, passes directly through the parotid gland. Therefore, salivary gland surgery is not just about removing the mass; it's the art of aesthetically cleaning the tissue while preserving that microscopic nerve network like a spider web.
- Those who experience sudden swelling and pain under the jaw, especially when eating sour foods like lemons and pickles.
- Those who notice a slowly growing, painless, firm lump (swelling) in front of or just below the earlobe
- Patients who experience swelling under the chin accompanied by a foul-smelling discharge (inflammation) from the mouth.
- Those diagnosed with salivary gland duct stones (sialolithiasis) and unable to pass them with medication.
- Those who constantly postpone having surgery for a mass in their neck because they are afraid of the risk of facial paralysis.
Our goal isn't just to attract customers, it's to keep the smile on your face.
Salivary gland surgery, especially parotid gland surgery, is one of the areas in ENT practice that requires the most experience and millimeter-precise anatomical knowledge. I understand very well the fear my patients have when they come to me: 'Will I suffer facial paralysis?' As Dr. Nurten Küçük, I never perform these surgeries 'blindly' in my clinic. I use 'Facial Nerve Monitoring' technology as standard, which instantly locates each branch of the facial nerve during the operation and alerts us. In this way, I secure the nerve, completely remove the mass or stone, and hide the incision within aesthetic creases (behind the ear/under the chin), as in facelift surgeries, allowing my patient to return to their social life both disease-free and without scarring.
Radiological and Fine Needle Mapping
Before deciding on surgery, ultrasound, MRI, and if necessary, fine-needle biopsy are used to map the type of mass (benign/malignant) and its proximity to the nerve with millimeter precision; leaving no room for surprises.
Safe Surgery with Nerve Monitoring
Micro-sensors (nerve monitors) implanted in your face during the procedure enable the device to emit an audible warning when surgical instruments approach a nerve. This minimizes the risk of facial paralysis, meeting global standards.
Aesthetic Incision (Facelift Incision)
The skin incision made to remove the mass is hidden not in a prominent line in the middle of the neck, but in the natural lines in front of the ear or behind the ear (like an incision in a cosmetic facelift). Once healed, it is not noticeable from the outside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the risk of facial paralysis during surgery zero percent?
No surgery can be described as having "mathematical zero" risks, but in the hands of an experienced ENT specialist and with the use of a "Nerve Monitor" device, the risk of permanent facial paralysis is negligible, like in %1-2. Sometimes, temporary lip or eyebrow laxity may occur due to postoperative swelling, which usually resolves completely within a few weeks with medication.
If one of my salivary glands is completely removed, will my mouth become dry?
No, it definitely doesn't dry out. The human body has 3 pairs (6 in total) of large salivary glands and hundreds of minor (small) salivary glands scattered throughout the oral mucosa. Removing one or two of the large glands due to tumors or numerous stones doesn't lead to noticeable dry mouth in daily life, as it increases the capacity of the remaining glands.
Is a lump on my neck or in front of my ear definitely cancer?
Özellikle kulak önündeki (Parotis) tükürük bezinde görülen kitlelerin yaklaşık %80’i “iyi huylu (benign)” tümörlerdir (Pleomorfik adenom gibi). Ancak iyi huylu olmaları, orada bırakılacakları anlamına gelmez. Çünkü bu kitleler yıllar içinde yavaş yavaş büyüyerek hem yüz sinirini ezebilir hem de zamanla (%5-10 oranında) kötü huylu bir kansere dönüşme riski taşırlar. Bu nedenle erken teşhis edilip, küçükken ve sinire zarar vermeden çıkarılmaları şarttır.
Can salivary gland stones be passed with medication or by crushing them?
Salivary gland stones are not like kidney stones; unfortunately, they cannot be broken up by external sound waves. If the stone is very small and located right at the opening of the duct, it may spontaneously fall into the mouth with drinking plenty of water, sucking on a lemon, and sometimes a gentle massage. However, the only definitive treatment for stones that are deeply embedded in the gland, have grown, and completely block the duct is surgical removal of the stone (or the gland if it is damaged).
Take the first step towards an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment.
For an initial consultation, examination, and personalized treatment plan, please contact us immediately.