Hi Austin -
I'm not a doctor by any means, but can tell you with most certainty that stones formed in salivary glands, whether submandibular or paranoid glands are not a result from trauma. Rather, they are a result from a different type of underlying cindition.
That said, since I myself has already undurgone submandibular gland surgery, there is to date (not that is known to me) any specific percentages of patients that underwent the same surgery that "need to have the submandibular gland removed".
That said, there are many discussions and posts by people and MD's that reference the fact that "stoned in the salivary ducts, whether submandibular, paranoid, etc.. can indeed, come back or return".
However, when delving deeper into this exact topic, I found to my surprise that only 20% of patients have stones that return. Far less than maybe the doctor is suggesting. I can tell you, as I have responded to a prior response once on this website, that there is an "excision operation that is done under the inside of your mouth, under the tongue." This leaves no cosmetic scarring and in my opinion, should only be done by the BEST possible ENT surgeon in your area at a 1st class rated teaching hospital. Insist on having the Professor or, Associate Professor to that specific hospital do the actual surgery.
Anything less in my opinion would be a HUGE disservice to you, as the patient. Please remember that, there are indeed thousands of facial nerves that can be affected by such a surgery.
There is, and now no question in my mind that, obtaining and insuring the best possible surgeon to perform the surgery is critical. Please do your own on-line review of their residency, college they attended, etc.. to determine this.
While many may think this surgery, as,represented by their local ENT Doctor is minimal, or without potential life-altering complications, it is far from that.. In fact, while again, it I s most likely a necessart procedure, it is also a surgery that has and does, maintain a high risk of facial nerve impairment or loss on the corresponding side.
I'm fifty (50) years old and, have dealt with this issue for over twenty (20) years.. And, while I, as a patient, fully understand the risks of "leaving the submandibular gland in", I also can personally attest to the fact that "removal of the gland is not necessary UNLESS, the operating surgeon "in his/her professional opinion during the time if surgery, has determined the comokete removal of the gland is necessary due to the stone's composition or, the gland's substability to be prone to future infections".
Again, we are talking about age and hypotheticals, but l, as a 20-40 yr. old, I would strongly consider the gland being removed. Above the age of 50, not so much..
Just my two cents.. Hope this information helps you..!! God bless..!!