Background: Transoral removal and sialoadenectomy are the two main modalities of treatment for submandibular stones. However, missed ductal stones are not uncommon, and there is a risk of lingual or hypoglossal nerve injury. We attempted to avoid these complications by using an endoscopic technique.
Methods: The case notes of the patients who had undergone endoscopic removal of submandibular stones were studied retrospectively. The procedure was performed under general anesthesia. The submandibular orifice was incised by carbon dioxide laser, and a 3.1-mm rigid scope was inserted under direct vision with normal saline irrigation after dilatation. The stones were either broken down by laser or removed with a Dormia basket or forceps.
Results: A total of 13 patients underwent the procedure. The duration of median follow-up was 15 months. In 11 patients, the stones were identified and removed. No stone was found in two patients (15.4%). There were no false negatives, since no stones were discovered subsequently in these two patients. One, two, three, and four stones were present inside the ducts in seven patients (54.6%), one patient (7.7%), two patients (15.4%), and one patient (7.7%), respectively. The symptoms subsided completely in 11 patients within 4 weeks after the procedure. Persistent swelling occurred in two patients. In one of them, no residual stone was revealed by CT scan. The other patient had a large calculus that was only partially fragmented by laser lithotripsy at the initial operation. No lingual nerve or hypoglossal nerve injury was detected in any patient.
Conclusion: Sialoendoscopy is a safe and efficacious treatment for submandibular ductal stones. It reduces the incidence of missed stones, and nerve injury, as well as the need for sialoadenectomy.