Sialolithectomy done with a CO2 laser: Clinical and scintigraphic results

Purpose: This study reviews the results of sialolithectomy performed with the CO2 laser. Patients and Methods: Forty-nine patients were treated under local anesthesia at initial presentation in the outpatient clinic. Results. All patients had immediate relief after surgery. Clinical and scintographic follow-up of up to 28 months on 27 patients showed that all but 1 were asymptomatic. The single exception required excision of the submandibular gland because of two recurrences of sialoliths in Wharton's duct. Although some glands had no function clinically and scintigraphically, they were asymptomatic and needed no further treatment. Conclusions: Salivary glands that are nonfunctioning clinically and scintographically should only be removed when there is a recurrence of symptoms.