Outcome and relative cost of transoral removal of submandibular calculi

To examine the outcomes and treatment cost of transoral removal of submandibular calculi, and to compare the outcomes and costs of other reported techniques.

Retrospective review of 60 consecutive patients undergoing transoral removal of submandibular calculi. All clinical, operative, post-operative and follow-up data were collated and outcomes analysed.

A total of 61 submandibular glands were treated by the transoral approach. Patients with multiple stones (p = 0.034) and stones in the proximal submandibular duct (p = 0.0028) were at greater risk of requiring submandibular gland excision, compared with patients with single stones and stones in the distal duct, respectively. There was a significant difference between the gland preservation rate during the first versus the second half of the study (p = 0.028). Larger calculi were significantly more likely to be seen in the proximal duct (p < 0.001). The mean operating time (28 minutes) and length of hospital stay for transoral removal of submandibular calculi was much less than those for other treatment techniques.