Effectiveness and costs of sialendoscopy in pediatric patients with salivary gland disorders.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: This study aimed to characterize the common salivary gland disorders presenting in the pediatric population and to describe the diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes of sialendoscopy in this population.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational study in a tertiary care pediatric medical center.

METHODS: Medical records review of patients under 18 years of age who presented to pediatric otolaryngology with symptoms related to a salivary gland disorder from 2002 to 2014.

RESULTS: Fifty patients were identified with an average age of 7.5 years at presentation. Eighty percent (40/50) of cases were diagnosed with juvenile recurrent parotitis (JRP), and 15 underwent sialendoscopy. The other 10 (20%) patients presented with sialolithiasis. These patients had a higher average age at presentation (12.4 vs. 6.3 years), and the majority were successfully removed with sialendoscopic techniques. Juvenile recurrent parotitis patients who underwent sialendoscopy had significantly higher costs of care during the period of observation compared to those who did not have a procedure, without a statistically significant difference in outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: Sialendoscopy is an effective tool for stone retrieval in pediatric sialolithiasis. Juvenile recurrent parotitis patients who underwent sialendoscopy had outcomes similar to those selected for conservative therapy, calling into question whether the substantially higher care costs can be justified. Further prospective studies addressing cost-effectiveness will help define the role of sialendoscopy in JRP.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.