Management of obstructive pathology of the salivary glands in elderly patients: a preliminary study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Obstructive pathology is a benign condition of the salivary glands that can affect elderly and co-morbid people. Sialoendoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure with a success rate comparable to standard sialoadenectomy and has the advantage that it can be performed under local anaesthesia. METHODS: This study aimed to assess sialoendoscopy benefits in elderly patients unfit for general anaesthesia. A group of elderly patients (aged 65 years or more) undergoing sialoendoscopy under local anaesthesia were evaluated. Age, co-morbidities, surgical time, hospital stay, and complication and recurrence rates were assessed. RESULTS: Nineteen sialoendoscopies were performed in 18 elderly patients with a mean age of 69.7 ± 5.6 years, with some of them suffering from multiple co-morbidities. Surgery was successful in 16 patients, while surgery was unsuccessful in 2 patients because of intraglandular stones. The average surgical duration was 54.5 ± 30.1 minutes, and all patients were discharged 2-3 hours after surgery. No post-operative complications were found and only one patient had recurrence during follow up. CONCLUSION: Sialoendoscopy under local anaesthesia is a safe and effective procedure in elderly patients who are more prone to complications.