Application of scientigraphy in microvascular submandibular gland transfer for KCS

Objective:To evaluate the effects of scientigraphy on microvascular submandibular gland transfer for KCS. Methods:Scientigraphy was performed in 90 cases with KCS, including 80 cases treated by microvascular submandibular gland transfer. These patients were checked before operation, 1 week and 3 months after operation. The imagings including the uptake and secretion of salivary glands and transferred glands were analyzed comparing with clinical appearances.Results:Scientigraphy was performed in all the 90 cases pre-operation. The function of all major salivary glands was almost lost in 10 cases, which indicated they were not suitable to receive this operation. Other 80 cases were treated, including 12 cases with hypofunctional salivary gland. Only in 1 case, scientigraphy performed in the second day post-operation showed no uptake in transferred gland. Surgical exploration showed embolism of the artery. Scientigraphy was performed 1 week post-surgery in 75 cases. There was no uptake (cold spot) in the temporal region in 6 cases indicating the glands were not revascularized. Scientigraphy showed obvious uptake in the temporal region in other 70 cases, which indicated the gland were viable. After three months, scientigraphy was performed in 30 cases again. No significant decrease of the glandular function had been detected. The delayed scientigraphy showed no patency of the efferent duct and no secretion to the orbit in 4 cases, which indicated obstruction of duct. Conclusion:Scientigraphy can be used to evaluate the function of salivary glands, as a reference for preoperative selection of the suitable patient and donor submandibular gland. In the perioperation stage, scientigraphy may confirm the vessel thrombosis. One week after surgery, scientigraphy could show whether the transferred submandibular glands were viable. Three months after surgery, a delayed scientigram of the transferred gland can show if the duct was patent. Scientigraphy has important role in the microvascular submandibular gland transfer for KCS.