Salivary Gland Obstruction and its Distribution in Iraqi Population

Background: saliva is the mixed glandular secretion which constantly bathes the teeth and the oral mucosa. It is constituted by the secretions of the three paired major salivary glands; the parotid, submandibular and sublingual. It also contains the secretions of the minor salivary glands, Sialolithiasis is the most common disease of salivary glands and is characterized by obstruction of salivary secretion by calculation inside the duct or even in the glandular parenchyma. Aim of study: This study aimed to investigate the age, sex, and the distribution of salivary gland obstruction especially stone, ranula and mucocele in Iraqi population. Materials and method: A total of 42 cases with salivary gland obstruction was collected from two major teaching and referral hospital in Baghdad 'Medical city hospital of surgical specialties' and' AL-Kinidy hospital 'maxillofacial department from 2015-2019. Results: The study population comprised of 42 cases of salivary gland obstruction. The age distribution was from (5-70) years with average of 30 years. The females were 16 cases (38 %) and the males were 26 cases (62 %). Conclusion: Salivary calculi are a common cause of salivary gland disorder and may occur in any of the salivary glands and at almost any age. Success is measured by treatment that is efficient, clinically effective, cost effective, and gland sparing.