Sialendoscopy for the management of obstructive salivary gland disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis to determine the efficacy and safety of sialendoscopy in the treatment of obstructive diseases of the salivary glands in adults.

DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library (no lower limit to October 2010). Reference lists were searched for identification of relevant studies.

STUDY SELECTION: Prospective or retrospective studies of adult patients treated with interventional sialendoscopy for the management of salivary gland obstruction were selected. Outcome measures included rates of success (symptom-free and absence of residual obstruction), sialadenectomy, and complications. Non-English publications were excluded.

DATA EXTRACTION: Two independent review authors screened eligible studies, extracted relevant data, and resolved discrepancies by consensus when applicable. Weighted pooled proportion, 95% confidence intervals, and test results for heterogeneity are reported.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Twenty-nine studies were included in the analysis. The weighted pooled proportion of success rates were 0.86 (95% CI, 0.83-0.89) for studies involving 1213 patients undergoing sialendoscopy alone and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.89-0.96) for the 374 patients undergoing sialendoscopy with a combined surgical approach. Outcomes following interventional sialendoscopy for radioiodine-induced sialadenitis were reported in 3 studies, and success rates were variable. Rates of sialadenectomy were low, and few major complications were reported.

CONCLUSION: Findings from the present systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that sialendoscopy is efficacious, safe, and gland preserving for the treatment of obstructive major salivary gland disease.