> I have recently been diagnosed with a sialolith located in my
> submandibular gland. Apparently mine is rather unusual as it is about
> 10-12mm in diameter. However it is causing me very little discomfort
> (which is probably the reason it got so big in the first place).

> My consultant recommended surgery but the information he has given me
> from my two examinations has left me very confused and frightened.

> I am left with the impression that if I submit to surgery (this would
> not be the more dramatic removal of the gland but an incision in the
> mouth above the gland to try to "milk" the stone out) there is a
> fairly high chance that the nerve controlling the muscles on that side
> of my face could get damaged and leave me with a sagging mouth.

> What I would like to know is this:

> 1)      What exactly *is* the chance of nerve damage occurring during this
> type of operation?

> I really don't want to lose my smile.

> Thanks for any responses

> sinny

>See my comments in the text.

>> Hi,

>> I have recently been diagnosed with a sialolith located in my
>> submandibular gland. Apparently mine is rather unusual as it is about
>> 10-12mm in diameter. However it is causing me very little discomfort
>> (which is probably the reason it got so big in the first place).

>> My consultant recommended surgery but the information he has given me
>> from my two examinations has left me very confused and frightened.

>> I am left with the impression that if I submit to surgery (this would
>> not be the more dramatic removal of the gland but an incision in the
>> mouth above the gland to try to "milk" the stone out) there is a
>> fairly high chance that the nerve controlling the muscles on that side
>> of my face could get damaged and leave me with a sagging mouth.

>> What I would like to know is this:

>> 1)      What exactly *is* the chance of nerve damage occurring during this
>> type of operation?

>The chance of damaging that nerve you mention is very slim from an intra-{*filter*}
>incision. An extra{*filter*}incision to remove the submandibular gland is another
>story. The nerve that can possibly be damaged is the lingual nerve that
>supplies tactile, hot, cold etc to that side of your tongue. The taste
>sensations arrise from a different nerve but these do piggy-back the lingual
>nerve for a short distance before going into the tongue. These are the nerves
>that possibly could be injured, not the motor nerve to your face.

>> 2)      Should I consent to this operation anyway considering the stone
>> gives me hardly any discomfort whatsoever?

>Irreversible changes will take place in the gland if the blockage remains,
>possibly leading to the need to remove the gland. You will also be prone to
>infections.

>> 3)      What are the chances of the stone either enlarging or breaking up
>> and being discharged through the duct naturally?

>If the stone is as large as you say it is, chances are it isn't going anywhere
>without surgery.

>DAK

>> I would really appreciate any advice or details of relevant case
>> histories just so I can put my mind to rest and so I can speak with a
>> little more authority next time I see my consultant.

>> I really don't want to lose my smile.

>> Thanks for any responses

>> sinny

> Hi Sinny,

> See my comments in the text.

> > Hi,

> > I have recently been diagnosed with a sialolith located in my
> > submandibular gland. Apparently mine is rather unusual as it is
> > about
> > 10-12mm in diameter. However it is causing me very little discomfort

> > (which is probably the reason it got so big in the first place).

> > My consultant recommended surgery but the information he has given
> > me
> > from my two examinations has left me very confused and frightened.

> > I am left with the impression that if I submit to surgery (this
> > would
> > not be the more dramatic removal of the gland but an incision in the

> > mouth above the gland to try to "milk" the stone out) there is a
> > fairly high chance that the nerve controlling the muscles on that
> > side
> > of my face could get damaged and leave me with a sagging mouth.

> > What I would like to know is this:

> > 1)      What exactly *is* the chance of nerve damage occurring
> > during this
> > type of operation?

> The chance of damaging that nerve you mention is very slim from an
> intra-{*filter*}incision. An extra{*filter*}incision to remove the submandibular
> gland is another story. The nerve that can possibly be damaged is the
> lingual nerve that supplies tactile, hot, cold etc to that side of
> your tongue. The taste sensations arrise from a different nerve but
> these do piggy-back the lingual nerve for a short distance before
> going into the tongue. These are the nerves that possibly could be
> injured, not the motor nerve to your face.

> > 2)      Should I consent to this operation anyway considering the
> > stone
> > gives me hardly any discomfort whatsoever?

> Irreversible changes will take place in the gland if the blockage
> remains, possibly leading to the need to remove the gland. You will
> also be prone to infections.

> > 3)      What are the chances of the stone either enlarging or
> > breaking up
> > and being discharged through the duct naturally?

> If the stone is as large as you say it is, chances are it isn't going
> anywhere without surgery.

> DAK

> > I would really appreciate any advice or details of relevant case
> > histories just so I can put my mind to rest and so I can speak with
> > a
> > little more authority next time I see my consultant.

> > I really don't want to lose my smile.

> > Thanks for any responses

> > sinny