Success rate and complications of sialendoscopy and sialolithotripsy in patients with parotid sialolithiasis: a systematic review

Purpose To assess the success rate and complications of sialendoscopy and sialolithotripsy for parotid sialolithiasis. Materials and methods A total of 228 articles were identified by the electronic database search regarding the topics sialendoscopy and sialolithotripsy. Following independent then joint review of titles and abstracts, 109 articles were selected for the full review. Thirteen of these were chosen for data extraction from which 1285 patients with parotid salivary stones were identified. Extracted data included number of patients, age, gender, location, management, and outcomes. Results All articles combined, 1285 patients with parotid salivary stones were included with a successful treatment in 1139 patients. The success rated ranged from 71.4 to 100% with a mean of 88.7%. Both partial as complete success was achieved. Although minor complications were frequent, no major complications occurred. Conclusions Sialendoscopy and sialolithotripsy are best suited as first choice treatment-if conservative therapy failed-for the management of parotid gland sialolithiasis. It is a valuable and feasible treatment option with no major complications. Selection of cases will ensure the best prognosis. Although there is no indefinite stone size, the smaller the calculus, the greater the probability of a symptom-free patient.