Intra-oral removal of stones from the hilum of the submandibular gland: report of technique and morbidity

Abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by Dr Trevor Watts

Abstract

Medium term follow-up shows this technique to have advantages over sialadenectomy in those cases where it can be performed.

Main

McGurk M, Makdissi J et al. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2004; 33: 683–686

Current evidence suggests that salivary glands may regain some function after stone removal, and in this study, 55 selected patients were treated with a conservative intra-oral technique. Median follow-up was 25 months (range 4–47).

In one case, the stone was not found in the hilum, though palpable. In 54 patients, stones were removed. Subsequently, sialadenectomy was performed for four patients with repeated glandular infection; two patients reported mild obstructive symptoms at mealtimes; all patients had altered lingual nerve perception at one week, which regressed by one month.

The authors comment that these adverse effects are less than following sialadenactomy, which is performed for about 2,000 patients each year in the UK, and that haemorrhage (which can be serious) and nerve injuries in particular are minimised. The intra-oral technique also may be performed under LA or as day case surgery.