Intra-oral removal of stones from the hilum of the submandibular gland: report of technique and morbidity.

There is increasing evidence to show that the submandibular gland regains function after stone removal and sialoadenectomy may not be the treatment of choice for proximal calculi. A technique of hilar stone removal is described with results and morbidity reported in a series of 55 patients. Stones were retrieved in 54 patients (98%) but four glands (8%) were subsequently removed due to recurrent obstruction. There were no complications related to the procedure (nerve injury, bleeding, infection or scarring) and the morbidity was less than reported for sialoadenectomy.