Mandibular and sublingual sialoadenectomy to treat cervical sialocele in dogs

Cervical sialocele is one of the most common type of mucoceles. It results from continuous leakage of saliva from the injured duct and/or gland and it is characterized by a gradually growing, fluctuating and painless swelling in the inter-mandibular region or ventrally along the proximal cervical region. Aspiration and drainage are usually inadequate treatments; therefore, surgical ablation of the affected glands along with duct is recommended. Scanty literature on the occurrence and surgical management of cervical sialcocele is traceable in Indian conditions. This clinical study describes mandibular and sublingual sialoadenectomy to treat idiopathic cervical sialocele in dogs.

This clinical study included seven cases of cervical sialocele in adult dogs. Five cases had unilateral while in two it appeared bilateral. The condition was diagnosed on the basis of history, clinical and cytological findings. Unilateral or bilateral sialoadenectomy of the mandibular and sublingual salivary glands, using lateral surgical approach, was done under general anaesthesia.

Lateral surgical approach was found adequate without any intra-operative complications. Histopathology of the resected glands showed normal architecture suggesting possibility of physical trauma as an etiology. All cases recovered uneventfully with no recurrence on the same or contralateral side on follow up of 1 year. This clinical study demonstrated that unilateral or bilateral mandibular and sublingual sialoadenectomy using lateral surgical approach may be done safely for the successful management of cervical sialocele in dogs.