Arterial Stents for Access and Protection of the Parotid and Submandibular Ducts During Sialoendoscopy

Abstract

Sialoendoscopy has recently gained popularity as a minimally invasive alternative to ablative surgery for obstructive salivary duct disease resulting from stones and strictures. Sialoendoscopy has been performed in numerous patients with a high degree of success. 1 Nahlieli O. Baruchin A.M. Long-term experience with endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of salivary gland inflammatory diseases. Laryngoscope. 2000; 110: 988 Crossref PubMed Scopus (160) Google Scholar , 2 Marchal F. Dulguerov P. Becker M. et al. Submandibular diagnostic and interventional sialendoscopy: New procedure for ductal disorders. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2002; 111: 27 Crossref PubMed Scopus (123) Google Scholar , 3 Katz P. New techniques for the treatment of salivary lithiasis: Sialoendoscopy and extracorporal lithotripsy: 1773 cases. Ann Otolaryngol Chir Cervicofac. 2004; 121: 123 Crossref PubMed Google Scholar However, damage or perforation of the duct during repeated manipulation of the endoscope and surgical instruments is a known complication. 1 Nahlieli O. Baruchin A.M. Long-term experience with endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of salivary gland inflammatory diseases. Laryngoscope. 2000; 110: 988 Crossref PubMed Scopus (160) Google Scholar , 2 Marchal F. Dulguerov P. Becker M. et al. Submandibular diagnostic and interventional sialendoscopy: New procedure for ductal disorders. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2002; 111: 27 Crossref PubMed Scopus (123) Google Scholar , 3 Katz P. New techniques for the treatment of salivary lithiasis: Sialoendoscopy and extracorporal lithotripsy: 1773 cases. Ann Otolaryngol Chir Cervicofac. 2004; 121: 123 Crossref PubMed Google Scholar This can result in a false passage that may compromise the success of the procedure. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using cardiovascular stents to dilate and maintain access to the parotid and submandibular ducts during sialoendoscopy. The hypothesis was that stents would allow for easy instrumentation of the ducts with fewer traumatic injuries. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of cardiovascular stents for this purpose.