Abstract
An in vivo study was performed to examine the application of laser beam for the fragmentation of salivery stones. In accordance with the absorption and reflection spectra of section of salivary stones, optimal fragmentation was achived using a pulsed dye laser with pulus windth of 1.4 gm and a weave-length of 504nm. Further studies on the particles size were conducted and a new“sialioendoscope”technique was developed. 6 patients suffering from a sialolithiasis of the submadibular gland were treated.
Under continuous endoscopic monitoring a laser-induced shock wave lithotripsy was performed. In 1 case complete fragmentation and removal of the salivary stones was achived and in another case 50-70% fragmentation was performed and saliva passaging was recovered. This approch to laser lithotripsy of salivary stones with endoscopic monitoring represents a novel method that permits treatment on an outpatients basis under local anesthesia, with little inconvenience to the patient.
