title: [Sialoendoscopy-assisted sialolithectomy for large parotid stones].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the clinical application of endoscope-assisted operative retrieval of large parotid stones as a minimally invasive alternative.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2010 to April 2013, 6 patients (male: 5, female: 1, age from 30-62 years, and median age: 49.5 years)suffering from recurred swelling of parotid gland due to sialoliths were treated by endoscope-assisted parotid surgery in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. All of the patients underwent clinical, ultrasonographic and cone-beam CT (CBCT) examinations to get the detailed information of the number, location and size of stones, which was recorded in the medical records. endoscope-assisted parotid surgery was performed under general anesthesia in all the 6 cases after the failure of basket or forcep retrieval firstly. During the operation, sialoendoscope was used to locate the stone exactly and then the calculus was exposed through a pre-auricular approach and released by incising the duct. The postoperative complications were recorded and observed during the follow-up periods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperative radiological examinations showed that all of the sialoliths were near the hilum of parotid gland ducts in the 6 cases, which were 5-9 mm in diameter. All of the stones were removed successfully by endoscope-assisted operative retrieval. The incisions healed smoothly in all the 6 cases. There were no cases of facial nerve weakness, infection or salivary fistula. After a mean follow-up of 19 months (ranging from 6-36 months), 5 patients remained asymptomatic and 1 patient had mild obstructed or infective symptoms. The final results were satisfied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is suggested that endoscope-assisted operative retrieval is a viable minimally invasive alternative to remove the large or recalcitrant parotid stones with a high successful rate and low complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China; Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Kai Luan General Hospital, Hebei Tangshan 063000, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China.
authors.forename: Deng-gao
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China.
authors.forename: Zu-yan
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China.
authors.forename: Guang-yan
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010305:Parotid Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000473:pathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012465:Salivary Duct Calculi / Q000601:surgery*; D018987:Salivary Ducts