Changes

A salivary fistula can result from injury to any salivary gland, but most commonly the parotid. Fistulas forming from other glands is uncommon.   

A salivary fistula can result from injury to any salivary gland, but most commonly the parotid. Fistulas forming from other glands is uncommon.   

Injury may be due to:

Injury may be due to traumatic wound to the face e.g. bite wound or abscess drainage. Exopthalmus is the most likely cause of a zygomatic fistula.

 

*Traumatic wound to the face e.g. bite wound  

*Abscess drainage  

*Exopthalmus is the most likely cause of zygomatic duct injury

The continuous flow of saliva prevents healing and therefore a fistula develops  

The continuous flow of saliva prevents healing and therefore a fistula develops  

== Treatment  ==

== Treatment  ==

Surgical ligation of the duct proximal to the injury will usually resolve the problem (complete removal of the gland can be performed if neccesary). Removal of the parotid gland is not usually performed due to high risk of complications such as cranial nerve trauma.

Surgical ligation of the duct proximal to the injury will usually resolve the problem (complete removal of the gland can be performed if neccesary). Removal of the parotid gland is not usually performed due to high risk of complications such as cranial nerve trauma.  

 

 

 

Skin is incised over the duct on side of face (beware of buccal nerves) and a wide diameter suture material can be used&nbsp;to cannulate the duct in order to aid locating it during surgery.<br>Occasionally a mucocele may develop from the site of surgery.

Fossum, T. W. et. al. (2007) Small Animal Surgery (Third Edition) Mosby Elsevier <br>Merck &amp; Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual

[[Category:Salivary_Glands_-_Pathology]] [[Category:To_Do_-_Kate]] [[Category:Oral_Diseases_-_Dog]] [[Category:Oral_Diseases_-_Cat]]

[[Category:Salivary_Glands_-_Pathology]] [[Category:To_Do_-_Review]] [[Category:Oral_Diseases_-_Dog]] [[Category:Oral_Diseases_-_Cat]]