Quality of life after sialendoscopy: prospective non-randomized study

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Quality of Life Research

Background:

• Salivary gland obstructions, including sialolithiasis and duct stenosis, cause pain and swelling, negatively impacting patients' quality of life (QOL).
• Sialendoscopy is a minimally invasive treatment option for these conditions, but its effect on QOL requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate the impact of sialendoscopy on the quality of life (QOL) of patients with benign salivary obstructive diseases.
• To assess patient-reported outcomes using validated QOL questionnaires, including xerostomia degree, oral health impact, and post-procedure satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, non-randomized study involving 37 sialendoscopies.
• Data collected included patient demographics, diagnosis (sialolithiasis, post-radioiodine effects), symptom frequency and duration, and pre- and post-procedure QOL scores.
• Validated questionnaires assessed xerostomia, oral health impact, and patient satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Sialendoscopy led to a significant reduction in pain and swelling symptoms (VAS 7.42 to 1.29, p<0.001).
• 80.6% of patients with sialolithiasis reported improved symptoms post-procedure (p<0.001).
• Significant improvements were noted in physical pain and psychological discomfort domains; satisfaction correlated positively with obstructive stone disease but not with xerostomia.

Conclusions:

• Sialendoscopy is an effective treatment for obstructive sialolithiasis, significantly improving patient QOL and satisfaction.
• While beneficial for stones, the QOL impact of sialendoscopy for stenosis or other xerostomia causes may be less pronounced and potentially time-dependent.