Wharton's duct repair after combined sialolithectomy: is ductoplasty necessary?

The aim of this prospective study is to establish whether ductoplasty is necessary to repair the Wharton's duct after a combined endoscopic and external approach to remove large submandibular gland stones or if simple suturing of the oral floor mucosa after stent placement may be sufficient to achieve proper duct healing. Ten patients were enrolled. Ductoplasty was performed in 6 cases, whereas in 4 cases, only the mucosa of the oral floor was sutured. The stent was removed about 3 weeks after surgery. Sialoliths were completely removed in all cases. During follow-up, patient symptom evaluation, ultrasound, and physical examination showed no signs of recurrence or complications. In our limited experience, ductoplasty after the combined approach was not necessary. After stent placement, the mere suture of the oral mucosa overlying the damaged ductal wall allowed a correct recanalization of the ductal lumen as commonly observed after careful ductoplasty.