Fixed parotid sialoliths: surgical treatment via transfacial approach using sialendoscopy and ultrasound guidance—retrospective cohort study

Abstract

The most common cause of symptomatic parotitis is the obstruction of its duct, most commonly by a stone. Despite the development of minimally invasive endoscopic techniques, some of these obstructions cannot be treated entirely endoscopically, requiring combined approaches. This study reviewed the outcomes and surgical technique of ultrasound-guided transfacial parotid sialolithotomy following a failed endoscopic approach. Conducted as a case series with retrospective chart review at an academic tertiary care center, the study evaluated patients who underwent this combined transfacial-endoscopic operation for symptomatic parotid sialolithiasis from April 2022 through January 2023. Key outcomes included operative technique, stone size, stone location, complications, and symptom relief. A total of 4 male patients with a mean age of 66 years underwent the ultrasound-guided transfacial operation for symptomatic parotid sialolithiasis. Needle localization facilitated transfacial stone retrieval in all cases. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 15 months. Stone locations included the proximal one-third of the ductal lumen (1 patient), the parotid hilum (1 patient), and within the gland parenchyma (2 patients). The average sialolith length was 8 ± 1.4 mm, and the width was 3 ± 0.8 mm. The average surgical time was 113 ± 16.5 minutes. All cases (100%) achieved successful stone retrieval and symptomatic improvement, with complete resolution of symptoms in 3 cases (75%). No major complications were reported. Ultrasound-guided transfacial parotid sialolithotomy is a safe and effective alternative to parotidectomy for patients who have failed a purely endoscopic approach. A novel transfacial surgical dissection method, based on the middle premasseter space, is proposed for accessing the main parotid duct when obstructions are located in the middle portion of the duct.