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What Causes Voice Change And Dry Cough After A Salivary Gland Surgery?

Posted on Fri, 9 Oct 2015

Question: 19th may 2015 i had my right submandibular saluvary gland removed. I am scared as ive passed a stone from the left gland now !!!!!! Im so so scared ive seen gp and he is askinh ENT to look at it again, also ive since surgery been coughing and making high pitched noises since surgery eapecially over night and my chest has been bad is this common ?! Im very scared
My GP has also asked my ENT surgeon to look at my vocal chords because when Ive gone to see my GP he aays my chest is clear though im coughing and soinding wheezy and feel tight chested i am a asthmatic

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Intubation injury to the vocal cords needs to be ruled out...

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for posting the query

1. Sialolith is common in people drinking less water. Reduced intake of water causes stasis of the salivary secretions in the salivary duct leading to the formation of sialolith (salivary duct stones). The problem in the left salivary gland could be due to the above mechanism. The best solution for this is to drink plenty of warm water and take sialogogues to increase the production of saliva.

2. The voice change and dry cough following the salivary gland surgery could be due to the intubation induced trauma to the vocal cords which needs to be confirmed with laryngeal examination. The other probable cause could be related to the acid reflux disease following stress.

3. Do not worry! You don't seem to be having any major issues. Consult your ENT Doctor for a complete evaluation and management.
My suggestions to you are:
a. Drink plenty of warm water.
b. Do steam inhalation 2-3 times a day for 2 minutes.
c. Avoid chilled food and beverages/smoking/coffee.

Hope this answers your query; I'll be available for the follow up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (20 hours later)

Ok thank you my gp has started me on Erthomycin today as stones have again come out with load of puss n blood teally thought i wouldnt get the stones again cant atop crying really thought i wouldnt get them

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Do not worry! Once the infection settles down, you will feel better...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for writing back

Antibiotics are prescribed to treat the primary infection in the submandibular gland, secondary to blockage of the duct and stasis of the secretions. Do not worry! Once the infection settles down, you need to follow all the measures mentioned in my earlier response. With appropriate measures, the formation of the salivary gland stones can be prevented.

Hope this clarifies your doubts; wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad