Evaluation of Sialendoscopy-Assisted Treatment of Submandibular Gland Stones.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficiency of sialendoscopy-assisted operations in the treatment of submandibular gland stones.


METHODS
The data from 8 patients with sialolithiasis who underwent sialendoscopy from August 2015 to January 2016 at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University (Shenyang, China) were retrospectively reviewed. All the patients had undergone preoperative technetium-99m pertechnetate salivary gland scintigraphy. The results revealed that the salivary glands exhibited normal or slightly reduced uptake and excretion dysfunction. Computed tomography examinations revealed stones located in the intraductal area near the glands or in the branches that could not be removed owing to their deep locations within the mouth. Therefore, an endoscope was inserted, the stones were located intraductally using sialendoscopy, and a transcervical incision was made to remove the stones and preserve the submandibular gland.


RESULTS
The stones were completely removed, and the submandibular gland was preserved in all cases. The patients recovered well postoperatively, and no complications developed.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that sialendoscopy-assisted sialolithectomy is an effective and safe surgical technique for the removal of proximal and intraglandular submandibular gland stones. The patients' quality of life had obviously improved postoperatively.
Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Institute of Dental Research, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
Jin-Qing
JQ
Xiao
Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Institute of Dental Research, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
Hai-Jiang
HJ
Sun
Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Institute of Dental Research, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
Qi-Hui
QH
Qiao
Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Institute of Dental Research, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
Xin
X
Bao
Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Institute of Dental Research, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
Chuan-Bin
CB
Wu
Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Institute of Dental Research, Shenyang, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: zqforstudent@163.com.
Qing
Q
Zhou
D000328:Adult; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015494:Salivary Gland Calculi / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013364:Submandibular Gland Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult