The first two weeks after surgery:
The patient who underwent surgery for a salivary gland tumor can usually be discharged after a one or two-day hospital stay. After the surgery, a tube called a drain is placed to remove blood and fluid accumulation in the surgery area. The drain is usually removed after 24 to 48 hours. However, a bandage dressing will remain on for another 3-4 days to prevent accumulation in the field. If there are stitches on the skin, they are removed on the 5th to 7th days, depending on the physician's preference.
During this period, a total of 3 or 4 dressings are sufficient. If the skin incision is closed secretly with special self-dissolving threads, there will be no need to remove the stitches. The patient is able to take a bath easily most of the time during the week of the surgery.
The patient who underwent surgery due to a salivary gland tumor can usually be discharged after a one or two-day hospital stay.
After the surgery, the patient in the surgery area can be discharged. A tube called a drain is placed to remove blood and fluid accumulation. The drain is usually removed after 24 to 48 hours. However, a bandage dressing will remain on for another 3-4 days to prevent accumulation in the field. If there are stitches on the skin, they are removed on the 5th and 7th days, depending on the doctor's preference. During this period, a total of 3 or 4 dressings are sufficient. If the skin incision is closed secretly with special self-dissolving threads, there will be no need to remove the stitches.
Pain after salivary gland surgery is rarely at a level that is difficult to bear, and the application of painkillers for the first few days will often be sufficient to cope with the pain. In case of infection, most physicians may find it appropriate to give the patient antibiotics for 3-4 days.
After waking up from the surgery, the patient is not given food or liquid orally for a period of 3-4 hours until he recovers from the effect of anesthesia. Later on the day of surgery, the patient usually eats soft, liquid foods and usually starts eating normal foods the next day. However, it may take longer for the patient to recover and return to his/her old diet, especially after extensive surgeries due to malignant tumors.
It may take longer for the patient to recover after surgery. Problems that may arise in the late period
Unilateral removal of the parotid and submandibular gland does not cause problems such as saliva insufficiency and dry mouth. The salivary glands and microscopic salivary glands on the other side of the face take over the function of the missing gland.
A problem that may occur months after parotid salivary gland surgery is called 'Frey Syndrome'. This condition manifests itself as sweating and redness on the operated side of the face while eating. The reason is that the nerve fibers that go to the salivary gland and produce saliva reach the sweat glands in the skin after the surgery. This situation, which occurs rarely, can often be tolerated by the patient and does not negatively affect the quality of life.
Especially after parotid gland surgeries performed due to large tumors, a depression may occur in front of the ear or towards the bottom of the ear. There is a high probability that this area will heal spontaneously with the increase in fat tissue over time.
Another problem that may be seen in the late period after surgery is the healing of the surgical incision with a clear scar. This condition, which is more common in dark-skinned and black people, is largely related to the genetic characteristics of the person. This problem is seen very rarely.
In general, in surgeries performed in the face and neck area, the planning of the incision and its postoperative stitching closure are done with special care, taking into account cosmetic concerns. However, in order to avoid scarring (scar tissue) that may occur in the late period, patients are asked not to expose the incision area to the sun for about a year. When they go out in open weather, it is recommended to protect them with high protection factor creams or accessories such as scarves and scarves. In addition, it is possible that some cream and gel-shaped medications can make the scar tissue less obvious.
Unless there are interventions such as jaw bone removal or neck skin removal due to salivary gland cancer, or for the same reason, severe post-operative radiotherapy or chemotherapy may occur. Unless treatments are applied, functions such as nutrition and speech are not affected in the late period of salivary gland surgery.
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