Removal of a stone in Stensen's duct with endoscopic laser lithotripsy: Report of case

Abstract

Gland ablation is often necessary in cases of obstructive sialolithiasis when the calculus cannot be extracted by dilatation or dissection of the salivary duct. 1 The use of lithotripsy provides another method of treatment. Initial experimental study on the use of extracorporeal lithotripsy was done using electrohydraulic Dornier HM3 equipment (Germering, Germany). 2 Brouns et al also described the satisfactory fragmentation of salivary calculi, although they pointed out the possibility of destroying dental amalgam restorations. 3 Iro et al indicated the danger of lesions to the ear or the central nervous system. 4 Extracorporeal salivary lithotripsy has been successfully done with piezoelectric lithotriptors. However, the results obtained by this technique have not been as satisfactory as might have been expected. Between 40% and 50% of residual lithiasis remains after 3 to 4 months of treatment. 1,4–8 A first description of laser lithotripsy for submandibular gland lithiasis was made by Köningsberger et al. 9 Later, Gundlach et al reported an in vitro study and clinical application in 11 cases of submandibular lithiasis. 10 We describe a case of endoscopically controlled laser lithotripsy for removal of a stone in Stensen's duct.