What is Sialendoscopy (Salivary gland endoscopy)?

What is Saliva? What Does It Do?

Saliva is a fairly complex biological fluid. It moisturizes dry foods and protects the inside of the mouth against microorganism attacks. About 1-1.5 liters of saliva are released per day. Saliva secreted from three large salivary glands opens into the oral cavity with very thin channels. Large salivary glands located in the cheek; those open into mouth from molar teeth level, and the sublingual and subcutaneous glands open into the mouth through the sublingual canals in the front. 

What is calculus in the salivary gland or canal stenosis?

Since the salivary glands are the organs that secrete, a malfunction that prevents the salivary secretion from reaching the mouth will cause duct enlargement and swelling in the gland. Disruption in the flow of saliva can be due to stones or stenosis developing in the ducts (canals) 

What are the Findings of Salivary Gland Stone or Canal Stenosis?

The most important finding in salivary gland stone or salivary duct stenosis is painful swelling occurring in front of the ear or under the chin during meals, depending on the location of the affected salivary gland. The gland remains swollen for several hours. The swelling gradually decreases as we move away from the food-related stimuli. This swelling repeats at the next meal. Due to the expansion in the gland during swelling; the patient feels a stinging if the gland under the tongue is affected. Such a swelling can be considered a throat infection or tongue infection by the doctor who performed the examination. However, patients should suspect salivary gland stones as this situation will repeat itself over time. 

Which methods are used in  diagnosis of salivary gland stone?

The first information for diagnosis is obtained by listening to the patient's complaint. During examination, increase in pain and discharge of inflamed fluid from the orifice of effected salivary gland is detected when pressure is applied. Then, tomography and ultrasound examinations are performed. The presence of the stone is detected by ultrasound. Detailed information about the size and location of the stone is obtained by computed tomography. With MR sialography, dilation in the ducts and growth in the gland can be evaluated. 

How Was The Treatment Before Sialendoscopy?

Salivary glands were removed with the treatment applied before sialendoscopy. This procedure was a risky operation in terms of facial nerves and vessels. 

What is Sialendoscopy?

The method defined as sialendoscopy provides the opportunity to see the canal system of the salivary glands and to intervene in this restricted area. This technique was developed by making endoscopes thin enough to advance in the ducts in the salivary gland after the development of optical systems. Thanks to this method, stones smaller than 5mm can be easily removed from the canal. In addition, it is not necessary to remove the salivary gland since it does not require surgery. 

What are the Advantages of Sialendoscopy? 

• There is no aesthetic scars.
• As the gland is not removed, asymmetry does not occur on the face after sialendoscopy.
• It is very unlikely to damage the nerves in neighborhood of salivary gland.
• The surgical risk is much less than the removal of the gland.

As a result, the salivary gland returns to normal when the stone blocking the canal is removed with sialendoscopy. Salivary gland endoscopy, defined as sialendoscopy, completely changed the approach to salivary gland obstruction diseases.