Long-term outcomes of intraoral submandibular stone removal in children as compared with adults.

Abstract

To investigate the long-term outcomes of intraoral submandibular stone removal in children as compared with those in adult patients. Retrospective clinical review. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 17 children and 48 adult patients who had undergone intraoral stone removal for submandibular sialolithiasis and followed up for more than 24 months. The mean durations of follow-up were 43.4 months and 49.4 months for children and adults, respectively. The long-term outcomes were compared between the two age groups. Intraoral submandibular stone removal achieved the status of "symptom-free" in 82.4% of child and 83.3% of adult patients. Recurrence in the affected gland was not found in any children but was found in two adult patients (4.2%). In pediatric patients with calculi around the hilum, a higher incidence (50%) of having long-term complaints was noted as compared with cases with calculi in the proximal and distal duct (P = .029). However, this difference was not evident in adult patients. Intraoral removal of submandibular stones is an effective treatment option with an acceptable long-term outcome for children. Nevertheless, in cases with calculi around the hilum, a careful surgical approach is required.