Sialendoscopy Enhances Saliva Production of Parotid Glands in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Patients.

Abstract

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disorder which harm exocrinic glands located mainly in the oral and ocular regions. pSS patients often complain about pain and mouth dryness. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the influence of parotid glands' sialendoscopy on salivary flow in pSS patients and to assess the tissue characteristics of the parotid glands during the sialendoscopy procedure. Twenty-six pSS patients (52 glands) treated with sialendoscopy for their parotid glands between the years 2017-2019 were included. Whole mouth salivary flow (UWS) was obtained 2 weeks before intervention (T1), 3 months post intervention (T2), for 20 patients, 6 months post intervention (T3) and for 11 patients, 12 months post intervention (T4). Patients were asked about their oral quality of life before and after sialendoscopy. UWS was significantly higher at T2, T3 and T4 compared to T1 (p=0.002, p= 0.01 and p= 0.04 respectively). 22 patients (84.6%) reported substantial improvement of their oral quality of life at T2. Of the 52 glands, 33 (63.5%) exhibited avascularity in the walls of the Stensen duct, 33 (63.5%) had strictures and in 8 (15.4%) mucus plugs were present. No major complications were observed in this study except for one patient who suffered from duct perforation which during follow-up was spontaneously healed. This study indicates a positive effect of sialendoscopy on salivary flow rate and oral quality of life in pSS patients. sialendoscopy should be considered as a vital tool in treating pSS patients.