Modern management of obstructive salivary gland disease.

AIMS: To investigate the results of a minimally invasive approach to the management of obstructive salivary gland disease.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Five hundred and thirty-seven patients with symptomatic obstructive salivary gland disease (455 calculi, 82 strictures) consisting of 330 submandibular and 207 parotid cases were treated using minimally invasive techniques. Extra-corporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ECSWL), fluoroscopically guided basket retrieval, or intra-oral stone removal under general anaesthesia, were used for salivary calculi, either alone or in combination. Strictures were treated using fluoroscopically guided balloon dilatation.

RESULTS

ECSWL achieved complete success (stone and symptom free) in 87/221 (39%) of cases (84/218 primary, 3/3 secondary) of which submandibular 43/131, parotid 44/90. Basket retrieval cured 124/166 (75%) cases (103/136 primary, 21/30 secondary) of which submandibular 80/109, parotid 44/57. Intra-oral surgical removal provided a cure in a further 137/143 (96%) submandibular cases (99/101 primary, 36/38 secondary and 2/4 tertiary). The overall success rate for the three techniques was 348/455 (76%). Balloon dilatation resulted in complete elimination of the stricture in 44/82 (54%) and a reduction in the stricture in 32/82 (39%) and no improvement in 6/82 (7%). Review at six months showed resolution 14/32 (44%), improvement 16/32 (50%) and no change 2/32 (6%) of symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

A minimally invasive approach to the management of obstructive salivary gland disease is to be encouraged. All four techniques described have a low morbidity and afford the possibility of retaining a functional gland.