4 Reasons to Have Your Salivary Glands Partially Removed

Salivary glands are often overlooked — until something goes wrong. They’re hard to ignore when infection, stones, or tumors (rare and usually noncancerous) reduce their function, make it hard to eat, or cause pain and swelling in the face.   

Board-certified otolaryngologist and surgeon Dr. Philip T. Ho at Silicon Valley ENT & Sinus Center offers outstanding ENT care at his office in Los Gatos, California. His specialties include intricate procedures such as partial parotidectomy, the removal of salivary glands.

Read more about the salivary glands from Dr. Ho and his team and why you may benefit from partial surgical excision of the largest salivary gland, the parotid.

Salivary gland basics

Humans have about 1,000 small (2 mm or .07 inch) salivary glands spread throughout their mouth and throat. Made of fat and cells that secrete fluid, these tiny, independent glands lie just under the tissue lining the mouth and throat.

You also have three pairs of major salivary glands, including the sublingual glands on either side of the tongue under the floor of the mouth. Each is about the size of an almond.

The second pair of major salivary glands are the submandibular glands, each about half the size of a walnut and located below the jaw. Saliva from the sublingual and submandibular glands enter the mouth from under the tongue.

The parotids are the largest pair of salivary glands, sitting just in front of the ears at the back of the jaw. Slightly smaller than your ears, these glands secrete fluid that enters the mouth through ducts near the upper molars.

What is a partial parotidectomy?

Unfortunately, several conditions can disrupt the function of the parotid glands, causing swelling, tenderness, and reduced function. Depending on your symptoms and the underlying cause of the dysfunction, Dr. Ho may recommend surgical removal of the gland (parotidectomy).

The nerve that controls muscle movements used for facial expressions runs through the parotid. Thus, if possible, Dr. Ho recommends a partial parotidectomy, removing only the superficial portion of the gland that lies above the nerve. This preserves some glandular function and reduces the risk of facial nerve injury.  

Four reasons for a partial parotidectomy

Reasons for a partial parotidectomy include:

1. Salivary stones

Salivary stones (sialolithiasis) are calcified deposits that can obstruct the ducts of the parotid gland, leading to pain, swelling, and infection.

Smaller stones may be managed non-surgically through methods like gland massage or using lemon drops and other substances to stimulate saliva production. However, larger or recurrent stones may require surgical removal via parotidectomy to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications.

2. Parotid gland tumors

Tumors, abnormal growths within the parotid gland, can affect glandular function. Most of these tumors are noncancerous, but they can enlarge, eventually causing pain, difficulty swallowing, or facial weakness.

Cancerous tumors often require a total parotidectomy to help prevent cancer from spreading, requiring careful attention to preserving the facial nerve and its function.

3. Chronic infections

Recurrent parotitis or conditions like Sjögren's syndrome can lead to persistent discomfort, chronic infections, inflammation, and swelling in the affected gland.

When conservative treatments fail, surgical excision of the affected gland tissue may be the most effective solution to alleviate your symptoms and prevent future recurrences.

4. Facial trauma

Facial fractures, deep lacerations involving the parotid gland, and other traumatic injuries may require a partial parotidectomy to repair damaged tissue and restore function.

This can be crucial for preserving facial symmetry and preventing long-term complications related to impaired salivary flow or nerve damage.

Schedule an evaluation online or by calling our office today. We can give you more information about salivary gland issues and the treatments that help.