Whole salivary flow rate and composition of saliva in patients with a benign tumor of the parotid gland

Introduction Benign tumors of the parotid gland could cause xerostomia. Moreover, reduced salivary flow is known to cause caries, recurrent oral infections, dysphagia and dysgeusia. However, the impact of such tumors on the quantity and composition of saliva is unclear.

Methods 22 patients with a benign parotid tumor and 18 healthy controls underwent objective measurements, including whole salivary flow (unstimulated and stimulated) and sialochemistry (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Amylase, and pH). Subjective estimation comprised a questionnaire and a visual analog scale.

Results Stimulated whole salivary flow was significantly lower in patients with benign parotid tumors in comparison to the control group (2.76 ± 0.96 ml/min vs. 3.85 ± 0.72 ml/min; p = 0.009). However, subjective estimation, sialochemistry, and unstimulated whole salivary flow showed no significant difference between the said patients and the control group (0.73 ± 0.41 ml/min vs. 0.68 ± 0.39 ml/min; p = 1).

Conclusion Benign salivary gland tumors seem to reduce whole stimulated salivary flow and leave unstimulated whole salivary flow along with sialochemistry unchanged. The patients’ subjective feelings do not appear to be influenced by the reduction in salivary flow.

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Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020