For most people, recovery after salivary gland surgery proceeds without problems, and a return to daily life is possible within a short time. Even so, recovery is easier and less worrying if you know what is normal during this period, what to pay attention to and when to tell your doctor about something. This page outlines the period after parotidectomy and submandibular gland surgery in general terms.
The first days
Mild pain, swelling and tightness in the operated area are normal; these are kept under control with painkillers and decrease within a few days. The thin drain placed in the area is removed once the drainage has decreased. Keeping the head of the bed raised helps reduce swelling. Short walks support the circulation; heavy exercise and bending forward are not recommended in the first weeks.
Wound care
The incision is usually closed with absorbable stitches or thin adhesive strips. It is important to keep the wound clean and dry and not to get it wet for the period specified by your doctor. Stitches or strips are removed at the follow-up examination. The scar may be red and firm in the first months; it fades and softens with time. Protecting the scar from the sun helps its colour settle better.
Diet
Most people start with liquids and soft foods from the first day after surgery and return to a normal diet within a few days. Drinking plenty of fluids supports the flow of saliva. Because the remaining salivary glands take over the function, dry mouth is generally not expected; paying attention to oral hygiene supports healing.
The facial nerve and numbness
Temporary weakness of the facial nerve may occur after parotidectomy; if the eye does not close fully, lubricating eye drops and protective measures for the night are recommended to keep the eye from drying out. When the nerve has been preserved, movement returns within weeks or months. Numbness of the earlobe and the surrounding area is common and usually decreases with time. After submandibular surgery, there may be temporary weakness at the corner of the lower lip or numbness of the tongue; these also usually subside.
The following weeks
- Sweating or flushing over the operated area while eating (Frey’s syndrome) may appear months later; treatment options exist if it causes discomfort.
- If saliva collects in the operated area (sialocele), it is drained with simple procedures.
- Keeping the neck and shoulders moving with gentle stretches prevents stiffness.
- A return to desk work is usually possible within a few days and to heavy physical work within a few weeks.
The pathology result and follow-up
The removed tissue is examined pathologically; the result is available within a few weeks and determines whether treatment is complete. In benign tumours, no additional treatment is usually needed and periodic check-ups are sufficient. In malignant tumours, radiotherapy may be planned according to the pathology result and regular follow-up is continued.
When should you inform your doctor?
- Fever, increasing redness, discharge or a bad smell from the wound
- Sudden and marked swelling or bleeding
- New weakness of facial movement that was not present in the first days
- If the eye does not close: pain, redness or blurred vision in the eye
- Pain that does not go away or is steadily increasing
Frequently asked questions
When can I return to work after surgery?
A return to desk work is usually possible within a few days and to physically demanding work within a few weeks; the timing depends on the extent of the operation.
Is the weakness in my face permanent?
When the nerve has been preserved, the weakness is usually temporary and resolves within weeks or months; recovery is monitored at the follow-up visits.
Is it normal for my cheek to sweat while eating?
This is known as Frey's syndrome and can occur after parotidectomy; it is usually mild and can be treated if it causes discomfort.
This page is general information. Decisions about diagnosis and treatment are made for you personally, and only after an examination. If you have symptoms, see a doctor.