title: Sialoendoscopy: A new approach to salivary gland obstructive pathology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During the last 13 years, there has been a growing interest in and use of minimally invasive treatment techniques. Salivary gland endoscopes provide an accurate means of diagnosing and providing minimally invasive surgical treatment for salivary gland diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors review the relevant literature and provide the history of sialoendoscopy. They also report on the treatment methods they use, including instruments and techniques, and their experiences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The authors' overall success rate for parotid endoscopic sialolithotomy is 86 percent, and their overall success rate for submandibular endoscopic sialolithotomy is 89 percent. Their success rate for treating strictures is 81 percent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The endoscopic technique opens new horizons in the field of salivary gland diseases. Salivary gland stones and sialadenitis no longer are absolute indications for sialadenectomy. Owing to growing experience and surgical skills, new endoscopic techniques are in clinical use, and there is constant improvement in endoscopic treatment success rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sialoendoscopy is a promising new method for use in the diagnosis, treatment and postoperative management of sialadenitis, sialolithiasis and other obstructive salivary gland diseases.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel 78404. nahlieli@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Oded
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nahlieli
authors.forename: Liat Hecht
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Nakar
authors.forename: Yaron
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nazarian
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D015494:Salivary Gland Calculi / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D012793:Sialadenitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome