Gland Preservation in Patients Undergoing Sialoendoscopy

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Salivary Gland Disorders

Background:

• Obstructive sialadenitis is commonly treated with sialoendoscopy.
• Sialoendoscopy offers a minimally invasive approach for diagnosis and treatment.
• Gland preservation rates and treatment considerations require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe treatment considerations for sialoendoscopy in obstructive sialadenitis.
• To report the gland preservation rate following sialoendoscopic interventions.
• To evaluate the efficacy of various endoscopic techniques for sialadenitis.

Main Methods:

• A case series of 128 consecutive sialoendoscopy procedures for obstructive sialadenitis was reviewed.
• Procedures included stricture dilation, stone retrieval (basket, laser), and stone excision.
• Outcomes assessed included symptom resolution, need for further procedures, and adenectomy rates.

Main Results:

• Sialoendoscopy was completed in 94% of patients, with high success rates for stricture dilation (99%) and stone removal.
• Gland preservation was achieved in 88% of the entire cohort (112/128 patients).
• Recurrence of symptoms occurred in 33% of patients, predominantly in the stricture group, but 91% achieved long-term gland preservation.

Conclusions:

• Sialoendoscopy is an effective minimally invasive treatment for obstructive sialadenitis.
• Interventional endoscopic techniques facilitate stone retrieval, avoiding adenectomy.
• Despite higher recurrence rates in stricture cases, sialoendoscopy leads to high long-term gland preservation.