[Minimally invasive bi-endoscopic treatment of deep submandibular gland calculu]

A study was conducted to evaluate the clinical application of sialendoscopy combined with conven tional laparoscopy in a 30 degree angle in depth salivary calculus of submandibular glands.

A total of seventeen patients were presented with repeated swelling in the unilateral submandibular area from June 2013 to August 2015. All patients underwent CT examinations of the mandible and salivary gland function imaging preoperatively. Sialoendoscopy and conventional endoscopy were applied to do intraoral lithotomy. Among the study group, thirteen cases were males and four cases were females. A total of twelve were left cases and five were right cases. Results Seventeen patients had deep positive calculus in the submandibular glands under CT. Photo technetium function was basically normal, whereas secretion of ipsilateral decreased significantly in salivary function tests. Double endoscope assisted surgeries were performed successfully through the mouth to remove the stones. The operation time was (42+21) min. There were no obvious complications in perioperative periods.

Intraoral lithotomy assisted by sialoendoscopy and conventional laparoscopy for deep stones in the submandibular glands is a new technique. This technique will possibly lead to complete avoidance of gland resection because of early deep sialolithiasis.