[The significance of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in sialolithiasis therapy]

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is now judged alongside other therapeutic alternatives like salivary gland endoscopy (SGE). The present analysis investigates the significance of ESWL within the scope of a defined treatment algorithm.

A retrospective analysis of data obtained between 2003 and 2009. The results were analysed according to the therapeutic modality used. Successful treatment was defined as an absence of symptoms or stones at follow-up examination.

During the period studied, 206 patients with parotid stones and 736 with submandibular stones underwent treatment. Among the latter group, 5 % were treated exclusively by SGE, 92 % underwent transoral stone removal and 3 % received ESWL. The long-term success rates were 93 %, 90 % and 94 %, respectively. Patients with parotid stones were treated in 78 % of cases by ESWL and 22 % underwent SGE exclusively. The overall long-term success rates here were 85 % and 98 %, respectively.

ESWL remains an important therapeutic tool in the management of sialolithiasis. The method is particularly important as a gland-preserving tool in the therapy of parotid stones and selected cases of submandibular stones, even though it is not available in the US due to the lack of official equipment approval.