Sialendoscopy for sialolithiasis in children: 4-8 years follow up

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Endourology

Background:

• Sialolithiasis is rare in pediatric populations.
• Established treatment guidelines and long-term follow-up data for pediatric sialolithiasis are scarce.
• Endoscopic approaches are increasingly explored for salivary gland stones.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sialendoscopy for treating sialolithiasis in children.
• To assess the long-term outcomes and recurrence rates following endoscopic stone removal.
• To provide evidence supporting conservative management options for pediatric salivary stones.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical records for children treated with sialendoscopy between 2007 and 2011.
• Inclusion criteria: pediatric patients with sialolithiasis undergoing sialendoscopy.
• Data collected: patient demographics, stone location (parotid/submandibular), sialendoscopy technique, complications, and follow-up duration (4-8 years).

Main Results:

• Twenty-six children (30 affected sides) with sialolithiasis were successfully treated via sialendoscopy.
• Stones were located in the submandibular gland (22 sides) and parotid gland (4 sides).
• Four patients experienced complications, all without long-term sequelae; no recurrent swellings were noted during 4-8 years of follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Sialendoscopy is an efficient and conservative endoscopic treatment for pediatric sialolithiasis.
• The procedure demonstrates a low complication rate and no medium- to long-term clinical recurrence.
• This study supports sialendoscopy as a viable option for managing salivary stones in children.