Abstract
Objective: Endoscopic laser lithotripsy can potentially treat most cases of salivary gland stones with minimal complications while preserving a functional salivary gland. Various types of lasers have been tested during sialoendoscopic procedures. This case study describes results obtained using the Ho:YAG-Laser.
Method: Sixteen patients with sialolithiasis in Wharton’s duct (diameter of the stones between 5 and 10 mm) underwent to intracorporeal lithotripsy with Ho:Yag laser under sialoendoscopic control. Debris were removed using a wire basket. A sialostent was placed at the end of procedure. After a 6-month follow-up radiological tests were rerun.
Results: Stone fragmentation was successful in all cases. All 16 patients experienced a regular postoperative course. No complications in terms of nerve damage arose during follow-up. Postoperative radiological findings showed that all patients but 2 were stone-free. Complete canalization of the duct was obtained in 15 patients.
Conclusion: Endoscopic laser lithotripsy is a safe and viable technique in Wharton’s duct lithiasis in clinical practice.
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