Salivary Gland Surgery

The major salivary glands are the parotid glands, submandibular glands and the sublingual glands.  There also hundreds of minor salivary glands in our mouths along the lips, tongue, inner cheeks and palate that produce saliva.  Pathology can arise in any of these glands in the forms of cysts, stones, infection/inflammation and tumors (benign or malignant).  If any of these problems arise then evaluation and treatment by a head and neck surgeon is critical.  Simple in-office procedure such as stone removal or duct dilation may be all that is necessary to treat the problem.  However if a mass is noted in these glands then a workup will be indicated including an MRI and fine needle aspiration biopsy.  Once this is completed then often surgery is required to properly remove the mass in it’s entirety while sparing critical nearby structures like important nerves.  Dr. Alen Cohen and Dr. Jerome Vener, renowned head and neck surgeons at C/V ENT Surgical Group in Calabasas, are experts in the medical and surgical treatment of various salivary gland disorders so you can rest assured in their hands.