Submandibular Sialadenectomy Treatment in India

Ayaan Joshi, a 42-year-old high school...

Ayaan Joshi, a 42-year-old high school history teacher, had been struggling with recurrent painful swelling under his left jaw for over two years. The episodes, often triggered by eating, would cause a hard, tender lump that made speaking and swallowing difficult for days. Multiple courses of antibiotics provided only temporary relief. A CT scan revealed a large, non-obstructing calculus (stone) deep within his left submandibular gland, causing chronic sialadenitis. His ENT surgeon, Dr. Sharma, explained that the gland was chronically infected and damaged, and a submandibular sialadenectomy was the definitive treatment to prevent future painful episodes and abscess formation. Ayaan was anxious about surgery near his face and the potential for nerve damage affecting his smile. The procedure went smoothly under general anesthesia. The initial recovery involved some neck stiffness and numbness around the incision, but the feared facial nerve weakness was minimal and temporary. Within six weeks, the swelling was gone, and he could eat without fear of pain. Emotionally, Ayaan transitioned from constant low-grade anxiety about his next flare-up to profound relief. He felt he had regained control and could focus fully on his teaching without the distracting, recurring pain.