Sialendoscopy: a minimally invasive treatment option for obstructive salivary gland diseases
It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago minimally invasive endoscopic treatments for obstructive salivary gland disorders didn’t exist. In the past the options for treating the pain and swelling were to cut open the duct to access and treat the blockage or to perform surgery to remove the entire salivary gland.
Symptoms of obstructive salivary gland disease can occur when blockages such as stones or strictures (narrowing of the duct) prevent the natural flow of saliva into the mouth. The major salivary glands affected are the parotid and submandibular glands. Patients who suffer with these blockages experience severe pain and swelling when they eat, drink, or even prepare meals.
Sialendoscopy, or salivary endoscopy, is a way to directly visualize stones and strictures by entering a gland with a micro endoscope. The procedure allows insertion of stone extractors and other interventional tools. This minimally invasive treatment option has the potential to save an otherwise healthy duct (tube that saliva flows through) by improving the flow of saliva without performing an invasive open surgery that may lead to complete loss of gland function.
The Cook Medical range offers the surgeon minimally invasive solutions for the access and treatment of the salivary glands, with gland preservation the primary goal.
