Objectives/hypothesis:
To review our preliminary experience with diagnostic and therapeutic sialendoscopy for the management of non-neoplastic disorders of the salivary gland.
Study design:
Retrospective chart review.
Methods:
Thirty-three consecutive patients undergoing 36 sialendoscopy procedures performed at a tertiary medical center from july 2008 to july 2010 were included.
Results:
The mean age of presentation was 43 years (range, 7-74 years), and 61% of patients were male. indications included sialolithiasis (47%; 17 of 36), recurrent sialadenitis (44%, 16 of 36), and sjΓΆgren's syndrome (8%; three of 36). successful endoscopy was performed in 97% (35 of 36). a papillotomy for access was necessary in 25% (nine of 36). in patients with sialolithiasis (n = 17), the mean size of the stones was 7.3 mm (range, 1-20 mm). complete stone removal was achieved in 76% (13 of 17) of cases. endoscopic stone removal was possible in 29% (five of 17), and a combined approach technique was required in 47% (eight of 17). seventy-two percent (26 of 36) of patients had complete resolution of symptoms after sialendoscopy, with 19% (seven of 36) having partial resolution of symptoms. patients with partial improvement of symptoms had a mean duration of improvement of 4.7 months. the overall complication rate was 22% (eight of 36). the major and minor complication rates were 3% (one of 36) and 19% (seven of 36), respectively.
Conclusions:
Sialendoscopy is safe and effective in managing non-neoplastic salivary gland disorders with low rates of major complications. knowledge of options to navigate the rate-limiting steps, like dilation of the papilla and careful case selection, are key to successful outcomes.