Endoscopy: a minimally invasive procedure for diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the salivary glands. Six years of practical experience.

During a 6-year period we did a total of 72 videoendoscopies of the salivary glands and their associated ductal systems. This minimally invasive procedure is associated with little morbidity and discomfort. The main indication was sialolithiasis of the submandibular and parotid glands. Sialoendoscopy was used not only for diagnosis of radiolucent calculi but also for simultaneous removal of calculi. Sialoendoscopy was also of benefit in the diagnosis and treatment of other diseases of the salivary glands. Even patients with chronic sialadenitis could be helped with endoscopic dilatation of the causative sialostenosis, thereby enabling us to conserve the gland.