Long-term oncologic and functional outcome in pleomorphic adenomas of the submandibular gland.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the oncologic and functional long-term outcome after surgical therapy of pleomorphic adenomas of the submandibular gland.

Methods: The medical charts of all patients treated for pleomorphic adenomas of the submandibular gland by means of submandibulectomy between 2000 and 2016 were studied retrospectively. Patients who had had revision after external primary surgery, as well as patients with insufficient data were excluded from our study sample.

Results: A total of 75 patients formed our study sample (28 men, 47 women, male:female ratio 0.59:1). Their mean age was 48 years (14-78 years). Mean follow-up was 82 months (12-170 months). No recurrences of a pleomorphic adenoma could be detected in our study cases. Normal facial nerve function (House-Brackmann grade I) in the direct postoperative phase was shown in 54/75 cases (72%). In the remaining 21/75 cases (28%), mild paresis of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve (House-Brackmann II) could be detected in the direct postoperative phase. All cases with facial palsy had recovered with normal facial nerve function (House-Brackmann I) in 3-6 months.

Conclusion: Our study was able to show oncologic and consistently acceptable oncologic and functional outcomes after submandibulectomy for pleomorphic adenomas of the submandibular gland.

Level of Evidence: 4.