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Excision of the Submandibular Gland

Excision of the Submandibular Gland

Submandibular Gland Excision is an outpatient surgery to remove a salivary gland beneath the lower jaw due to stones, infection, or tumours.
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Key Information

Submandibular gland excision is a surgical outpatient procedure lasting approximately 30 to 60 minutes under general anaesthesia to remove one of the major salivary glands located beneath the lower jaw.
The procedure is primarily recommended to treat chronic salivary gland disease, including recurrent infections, salivary gland stones (blockages), chronic swelling, and benign or malignant tumours.
The surgeon accesses the gland through a small incision in a natural skin crease beneath the jawline, taking extreme care to safeguard nearby nerves responsible for tongue movement, tongue sensation, and lower lip movement.
Recovery is typically rapid, with most patients returning home the same day and resuming normal daily activities within a few days; potential but less common risks include bleeding, temporary lower lip weakness, or temporary changes in tongue sensation.

About Excision of the Submandibular Gland


Submandibular gland excision is a surgical procedure performed to remove one of the major salivary glands located beneath the lower jaw. The submandibular glands produce saliva, which helps with chewing, swallowing and digestion.
The procedure is most commonly recommended when the gland is affected by recurrent infections, salivary gland stones, chronic inflammation or tumours. In many cases, surgery provides a definitive solution when symptoms persist despite medical treatment or less invasive interventions.

Operating Time: Approximately 30–60 minutes
Anaesthesia: General anaesthesia
Setting: Outpatient procedure

Submandibular gland excision may be recommended for patients with:

  • Recurrent salivary gland infections
  • Salivary gland stones causing blockage
  • Chronic swelling beneath the jaw
  • Persistent pain related to salivary gland disease
  • Benign tumours of the submandibular gland
  • Suspected or confirmed salivary gland cancer
  • Excessive salivation that has not responded to other treatments

Prior to surgery, investigations such as ultrasound, CT scanning, MRI imaging or fine needle aspiration biopsy may be performed to establish a diagnosis and assist with surgical planning.

The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia.

A small incision is made in a natural skin crease beneath the jawline to provide access to the gland. The surgeon carefully identifies and protects the nearby nerves responsible for tongue movement, tongue sensation and lower lip movement.

The affected gland is then carefully separated from surrounding tissues and removed. Once the gland has been excised, the incision is closed using sutures, and a temporary surgical drain may occasionally be inserted to prevent fluid accumulation.

Most patients return home on the day of surgery, although some may require a short hospital stay depending on the complexity of the procedure.

Potential benefits of submandibular gland excision include:

  • Definitive treatment of chronic salivary gland disease
  • Relief from recurrent pain and swelling
  • Removal of benign or malignant tumours
  • Prevention of recurrent infections
  • Improved comfort and quality of life
  • Reduced need for ongoing medical treatment

For many patients, surgery provides a permanent solution to persistent symptoms.

Submandibular gland excision is a well-established procedure, but all surgery carries potential risks.

Possible complications include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Scarring
  • Fluid collection beneath the skin (seroma)
  • Haematoma (collection of blood)
  • Temporary numbness around the surgical site
  • Temporary weakness of the lower lip
  • Temporary changes in tongue movement or sensation
  • Salivary leakage

Permanent nerve injury is uncommon but remains a recognised risk due to the close proximity of important nerves.

Your surgeon will discuss any individual risks before surgery.

Most patients experience mild discomfort, swelling and bruising during the first few weeks following surgery.

After surgery, patients are generally advised to:

  • Keep the incision clean and dry
  • Avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting
  • Take prescribed medications as directed
  • Attend follow-up appointments
  • Follow wound care instructions carefully

If a surgical drain is used, it is typically removed within a few days.

Most patients return to normal daily activities within a few days, although complete healing of the surgical site may take longer.

Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:

  • Increasing swelling around the wound
  • Persistent bleeding
  • Fever or signs of infection
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • New weakness of the lower lip or tongue
  • Severe pain not relieved by medication
  • Any unexpected or concerning symptoms during recovery

Prompt assessment can help ensure any complications are identified and treated appropriately.

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Doctors performing Excision of the Submandibular Gland

All procedures at GMS Cyprus are performed by internationally recognized surgeons from Israel, the EU, and the US. Each selected for their exceptional qualifications, surgical expertise, and commitment to patient care.

Our doctors are leaders in their fields, with extensive experience in advanced techniques and consistently high success rates. They work closely with our medical board and patient support team to ensure each treatment is safe, effective, and tailored to the individual.

The GMS Cyprus Promise

We are committed to providing every patient with access to world-class surgeons, personalized care, and unwavering support throughout their medical journey.

We carefully select our surgeons based on international standards, clinical excellence, and patient outcomes. We believe that medical travel should be stress-free, transparent, and guided by people who genuinely care. Our promise is to treat you with dignity, protect your privacy, and give you peace of mind every step of the way.

How it works

Step 1
Submit a consultation request
Fill out a short form and let us know your medical concern. A coordinator will contact you within 48 hours.
Step 2
Share Your Medical History
Send your relevant documents (scans, reports, etc.). We’ll help you prepare them and handle translation if needed.
Step 3
Receive your medical proposal
Receive a detailed proposal, including surgeon profile, recommended treatment, estimated costs, and recovery plan.
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Testimonials

Ilanit Boker

Ilanit Boker

I happily recommend the services of the GMS team. I needed a unique procedure which is not performed in Israel and I turned to them. 

Over a telephone conversation with GMS representative Roy, I felt caring attention and confidence that he would help in everything. He accompanied us throughout the entire process, before the flight and even after. 

In addition to Roy, we would like to sincerely thank Oriya, our allocated Israeli speaking patient coordinator of the company in Cyprus. 

Even before our departure, Oriya was in touch with us helping with any issues and made sure that we arrived fully prepared – taking into account the smallest details; even to the point of finding out our food preferences, and despite the late hour of our arrival at the hotel, she ensured an exquisite meal was waiting for us in the room. Oriya greeted us upon arrival and truly made us feel like we were her personal guests. She accompanied us throughout the entire day of the operation – attentively, with endless care and continued patience.

I felt like I had a good friend with me in the hospital. This kind of treatment doesn’t happen very often… At the end of the day we parted, hugging each other, and Oriya gave recommendations on where to go and what to do in the time remaining before returning home.

I just don’t have enough words to thank GMS and Oriya for everything. I can only recommend with a reassurance that those who need it should use their services.

Almog Brand

Almog Brand

When I was looking for information about palm surgery, I found many recommendations about Dr. Amir Oron. After a consultation with Dr. Amir, I was surprised to learn that my health insurance does not guarantee that he will be the surgeon to perform the procedure.

That is when I contacted GMS, who explained how I could have the surgery performed by the physician of my choice – which gave me peace of mind. It is very important for me to share my experience, as the service I received through GMS exceeded any similar experience in Israel: From the beginning I was assigned a GMS representative from Israel, who explained in detail what my experience would be and answered all my questions about the operation and the treatment process. (Thanks, Roy!)

All I had to do was fill out the application form. GMS representatives took care of everything themselves!

They contacted the insurance company on my behalf and even had them check the status of the application until the financial commitment for the surgery was received. We agreed with on the surgical date, booked the flights at a convenient time for me, and also dealt with the hotel reservation. The GMS staff even reviewed the menu and took any dietary restrictions into consideration on my behalf.

We were picked up from the airport in Larnaca, Cyprus where we met the wonderful Oria, who accompanied us throughout the entire visit and took care of every detail; from registration to preparation for the operation.

This is essentially a VIP service that made the entire experience relaxed and stress-free.
The assigned coordinators continued caring after my return to Israel. They were interested in my recuperation post-operatively and also ensured all financial matters were dealt with; all this, by the way, without any commissions or payouts on my part, but directly with my insurance.
In a word – an amazing experience!
In short – I recommend it!

Thank to GMS, thank you Roy, thank you Uriah and thank you Dr. Oron.

Nirit Shortz-Raphael

Nirit Shortz-Raphael

I do not even know where to start!!
Overall, the service exceeded all my expectations!

Roy – thank you for your patience, quick responses (minutes!), availability, caring and clear explanations! You are inimitable! Oriya – you are amazing! Thank you for every smile, hug, help, guidance, explanation… really! You are simply amazing!

Every time I was asked by friends and family about the surgery, I immediately started talking about your amazing service! I felt warmth and love, and everyone who was with me felt the same!
We never stop talking about you, and really, only good things!

You have entered our hearts!
Thank you very much for everything! I hope to see you in the future, under different circumstances.

Nadav Ben-Ezer

Nadav Ben-Ezer

When one thinks of “Medical Operation” overseas, the last thing that comes to mind is a “Great Experience”, but this is exactly what I have experienced, going through a prostate removal procedure via GMS Cyprus. With their professional and compassionate approach, the GMS Cyprus team provides to the confused and worried patient a complete transparent VIP envelop, which takes care of all the logistics involved in “Medical Tourism” for the patient and their escort, as well as assembling a world class international medical team and medical facilities suitable to treat the medical diagnosis at hand.

From the first time the medical situation was diagnosed, and the first contact was made, the GMS team was there to remove the hassle and understand my concerns and worries about the medical issue and being far from home, and they handled every detail of the logistics of travel, insurance company requirements and medical preparations. From first arrival at the luxurious hotel, assigned to the first night and for my personal escort, the GMS management, Udi and Clair, has treated me as family away from home and personally came to greet me and attend firsthand to all my needs and requests. To top it all, they assigned their own personal escort, the wonderful Aia, which was available 24/7 and door to door to handle any need and detail and helped interface with the local hospital team.

I want also to recommend the choice of the hospital at Limassol, which is modern and clean, and of course GMS team have in advance reserved a private and spacious room and nominated a local doctor, which was familiar with my case and participated in the treatment and which came often to check my condition and parameters.

To summarize, I would not go so far as to wish such treatment to anybody, but if you must go through the medical procedure, the VIP treatment provided by GMS is a legitimate alternative, combining easy logistics, professional medical treatment by your own doctor, modern hospital, relaxed overseas experience and personal compassionate escorting to ease and sweeten the experience.

Dorit

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