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This is a simple procedure performed in a clinic office to help with prognosis and diagnosis in Sjögren's syndrome. A trained pathologist will review the gland to see if there are signs of Sjögren's syndrome in inflammatory cells. The pathologist may also identify the possibility of other diseases.
Step 1
The doctor identifies a minor salivary gland located in the lower lip.
Step 2
The doctor injects a drug to numb the area of the lower lip that has the most glands.
Step 3
The doctor makes a small incision, taking care to avoid damage to small nerves and blood vessels. The gland sticks out and the doctor uses forceps to remove the gland.
Step 4
The doctor closes the incision with an absorbable suture.
Patients might experience discomfort, which usually improves after 1 to 2 days. Other complications are rare and can including bleeding, fainting, bruising, local numbness/tingling and the formation of a small nodule.
Aftercare: Patients can take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (such as ibuprofen or naproxen) to help with discomfort and use a topical cooling like ice 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off applied to the outside of the lip.
