The efficacy of sialendoscopy in the management of non-calculi sialadenitis

Abstract Introduction Sialendoscopy has effectively changed the paradigm for the treatment of sialolithiasis. Its impact on non-calculi related recurrent sialadenitis is however unclear, especially with regards to long-term outcomes. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the long-term efficacy of sialendoscopic intervention for non-calculi related recurrent sialadenitis and to determine clinical and intra-operative features that may prognosticate outcomes. Methods This is a prospective cohort study of 33 consecutive patients that underwent sialendoscopy for recurrent non-calculi sialadenitis by a single surgeon in a tertiary institution from January 2010 to December 2016. Patient reported outcome measures were used as the primary determinant of treatment efficacy. Clinical features and endoscopic findings were evaluated as variables that may predict treatment outcomes. Fischer exact test was used to analyze the descriptive data and a p value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results Of the thirty-three patients with recurrent non-calculi sialadenitis, one patient was lost to follow-up and thus excluded from analysis. The mean and median follow-up of the 32 patients were 27 and 21.5 months, respectively. Twenty-eight (87.5%) patients reported improvement of symptoms and 19 patients (59.4%) were symptom-free after a single sialendoscopic treatment. Chronicity of symptoms, younger patients and concurrent autoimmune disease were predictive for recurrent symptoms despite sialendoscopy. Conclusion The use of sialendoscopy achieved sustained long-term improvements or resolution of symptoms in the large majority of patients with recurrent non-calculi sialadenitis. The data in our study supports the benefits of sialendoscopic intervention in patients with recurrent non-calculi sialadenitis.