Salivary Duct Repositioning after Biopsy Surgery: a Case Series

Abstract

The salivary duct of major salivary glands is often resected during treatment of obstructive lesions such as sialolithiasis and ranula or oral tumors, benign or malignant. Complications, such as postsurgical ranula, swelling, pain, and infection related to surgeries involving these ducts are commonly reported. We present a series of 4 cases of salivary duct repositioning after biopsy surgeries. Three of these cases were performed during sialolithiasis treatment, 2 in the floor of the mouth (Wharton and Bartholin ducts) and 1 in the Stensen duct. The fourth case was performed in the Stensen duct during the removal of a lesion diagnosed microscopically as white sponge nevus. All of the procedures included the removal of the excretory end of the ducts. After the biopsy procedures, the salivary flow was evaluated, and the remaining duct was repositioned, sutured to the neighboring heathy mucosa in all cases. The follow-up was satisfactory without complications.