Sialendoscopy for pediatric salivary gland disorders: a study of safety and effect

Sialendoscopy has become the preferred modality for managing pediatric salivary gland disorders (PSGD) including juvenile recurrent parotitis (JRP) and sialolithiasis. The literature remains sparse, but several case series have reported good outcomes and few complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of sialendoscopy for PSGD in a Danish setting.

From a national sialendoscopy database, we included records of children who had undergone sialendoscopy for PSGD at our clinic over a 6-year period. Clinical and intraoperative data, follow-up and e-mail surveys after 1, 3 and 5 years were retrieved for analysis.

We included 52 procedures on 50 glands (32 parotid, 18 submandibular) in 49 children. Of eligible patients, 90% attended clinical follow-up, 80% answered the survey after 1 year, 80% after 3 years and 60% after 5 years. JRP was diagnosed in 33 cases, obstructive causes in 18 cases. Complications noted were ductal perforation (2%), transient lingual nerve affection (4%) and infection (2%). For JRP patients, overall symptoms had improved for 96% after 3 months, 81% after 1 year and 83% after 3 years. For patients suffering from obstruction, overall symptoms were improved for 93% after 3 months and for 100% after 1 year.

Sialendoscopy is a safe procedure for PSGD, and effective for sialolithiasis and symptom reduction in JRP.