Submandibular Gland Surgeon in Dubai

Quick answer

Who removes the submandibular gland in Dubai, and why might it need to come out?

Dr. Muhammad Jabbr is a Consultant ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeon who removes the submandibular gland. He operates at Medcare Hospital Al Safa, Dubai. The submandibular gland is a saliva gland just under the jaw bone. Removal may be advised for repeated infections, hard-to-treat stones, a lump in the gland, or pain and swelling that will not settle. The cut is made in a natural skin crease below the jaw. After removal, your other glands keep making saliva.

Your doctor has said the gland under your jaw should come out. Now you have questions. How big is the cut? Will your smile look the same? Will your mouth feel dry with one gland gone? If you are looking for a submandibular gland surgeon in Dubai, these are exactly the things to ask.

This guide covers the operation itself: why it is advised, how it is done, how nearby nerves are protected, the scar and recovery. Dr. Muhammad Jabbr is a Consultant ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon at Medcare Hospital, Al Safa, and one of the best surgeons in Dubai for this operation.

Why would a submandibular gland need to come out?

You have one submandibular gland on each side, just under the jaw bone. Most problems with it settle without an operation. Removal is advised when the gland itself has become the source of trouble, for example:

Repeated infections. After several bouts of painful swelling, the gland can turn firm and scarred. It then makes little saliva but still flares up.
Stones that other treatment cannot deal with. Some lie in the body of the gland, far back from the duct. Others form again and again.
A lump in the gland. Many lumps are benign, but cancer is more likely here than in the larger parotid gland. Removing the whole gland lets the lab give a clear answer. If the tests point to cancer, the plan may be wider, as set out on our head and neck cancer surgery page.
Ongoing swelling and pain that has not settled with other treatment.

For stones, smaller treatments through the mouth usually come first. The operation is also planned for a calm gland: an active infection or abscess is treated first. Our submandibular gland surgery in Dubai page sets out the service in more detail.

What tests are done before the operation?

Dr. Jabbr will first ask about your symptoms and look at your neck and the floor of your mouth. He will gently feel the gland with one finger inside the mouth and one hand outside. This tells him a lot about its size and how firm it is.

Depending on the reason for surgery, you may also need:

An ultrasound scan of the neck, which shows stones and lumps.
A fine needle test (FNA) if there is a lump. A thin needle, often guided by ultrasound, takes a few cells for testing.
A CT or MRI scan in some cases, to see the size of a lump and the tissues around it.
Routine blood tests and a check before the general anaesthetic.

Sometimes the scan shows that the lump is a swollen lymph node lying next to the gland, not the gland itself. Then the plan changes, and the node is checked as described on our neck lump specialist page. A lump in the larger gland in front of the ear needs a different operation, covered under parotid gland surgery.

How is submandibular gland removal done?

The operation is called submandibular gland excision. The usual steps are:

You are put to sleep with a general anaesthetic, so you feel nothing.
A cut is made in a natural skin crease about two finger-widths below the lower edge of the jaw. Placing it lower keeps it away from a small nerve that moves the lower lip.
The gland is freed gently from the tissues around it. Its blood vessels are sealed and its duct is tied off, with the tongue nerves kept in view.
The gland is removed and sent to the lab for checking.
A small drain may be placed to let any fluid out, and the skin is closed with fine stitches.

The operation usually takes about one to two hours. It can take longer if past infections have left a lot of scar tissue. Many patients stay in hospital for one night.

Which nerves are close to the gland, and how are they kept safe?

Three nerves lie close to the gland:

The marginal mandibular nerve. This is a small branch of the facial nerve. It moves the lower lip.
The lingual nerve. It gives feeling and taste to the front of the tongue on that side.
The hypoglossal nerve. It moves the tongue.

The surgeon protects them by knowing exactly where they run and working close to the gland. The skin cut is placed low. The lip nerve is either found and watched, or the layer of tissue that carries it is lifted up and out of the way. The gland is then eased away from the tongue nerves with care. A nerve monitor may also be used in some cases.

Lasting nerve damage is uncommon. Temporary weakness of the lower lip can happen and usually improves over weeks to months. Your surgeon will talk through your own risk before you sign a consent form.

Where is the scar, and will my neck look different?

The cut follows a natural crease below the jaw and is often around four to six centimetres long. The jaw line shadows it, so once healed it is often hard to spot.

The skin around the scar, mostly above it, may feel numb or tingly for a while. This usually improves slowly. Some people also notice a slight hollow under the jaw where the gland used to be. It is usually small.

What is recovery like after the operation?

Pain is usually mild to moderate, and simple painkillers often control it. A typical recovery looks like this:

First day: some tightness and swelling in the neck. You can usually eat soft food the same day. The drain, if used, is often removed the next morning.
First week: keep the wound dry as advised. Sleep with your head slightly raised. Avoid bending and heavy lifting.
Weeks one to two: many people go back to office work.
After two to three weeks: most normal activity, including exercise, can usually start again once your surgeon agrees.

Call the clinic the same day if you get a fever or redness spreading around the cut. Fast swelling of the neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, or bleeding that will not stop is an emergency. Go to the nearest emergency department straight away. These problems are rare.

Can you live normally with one submandibular gland?

Yes. Besides the matching gland on the other side, you still have two parotid glands, two small sublingual glands and many tiny glands in the lining of your mouth. They keep making saliva after one submandibular gland is removed.

Most people do not notice any change in their mouth after recovery. A few may feel a slightly drier mouth, especially if they already take medicines that reduce saliva. Drinking water through the day and good dental care usually help.

Why choose Dr. Muhammad Jabbr as your submandibular gland surgeon in Dubai?

This operation calls for careful work around small nerves. Dr. Muhammad Jabbr offers:

Head and neck training: MD, MS, DOHNS (England), European Board ORL-HNS and Arab Board ORL-HNS.
Experience: more than 20 years in practice and more than 3,000 ENT procedures.
Adults and children: he sees patients of all ages.
Clear explanations: he talks through why surgery is advised, the risks in your case, and whether a smaller option is still possible.

He practises at the ENT Department of Medcare Hospital, Al Safa, Dubai. For the other neck operations he performs, see our best head and neck surgeon in Dubai page.

Book an appointment

If you have been told your gland may need to come out, or you want a second opinion before deciding, Dr. Jabbr can see you and go through your scans.

You can book an appointment online or call +971 52 751 7811. The clinic is at Medcare Hospital, Hadiqa Street, Al Safa 1, Dubai.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is submandibular gland removal a major operation?

It is done under general anaesthesia and often needs one night in hospital, but it is a common, well-planned operation. Most people are up and walking the same day and back to desk work within one to two weeks.

Can the gland be removed through the mouth instead of the neck?

In selected cases a mouth approach may be possible. Still, the neck approach through a skin crease is the usual method, as it gives a clear view of the gland and nerves. Your surgeon will explain which suits you.

Will my smile change after the operation?

Most people notice no change. Sometimes the small nerve to the lower lip is bruised, and the lip looks a little uneven when you smile. This usually recovers over weeks to months. Permanent weakness is uncommon.

Can a stone or infection come back after the gland is removed?

Problems in that gland cannot return because the gland is gone. Rarely, a small stone left in the leftover part of the duct can cause swelling under the tongue. Your other glands can still have their own problems.

When will I know what the lab found?

The removed gland is checked under a microscope. The report often takes about one to two weeks. It is usually discussed at your follow-up visit, along with any next steps.

Conclusion

Taking out a submandibular gland is a routine neck operation. It usually ends the trouble that gland was causing and gives a clear answer about a lump. Most people are back to their usual routine within two to three weeks. If you are weighing up this operation, Dr. Muhammad Jabbr can review your scans, explain your risks and tell you honestly whether surgery is the right step.