Salivary Gland Treatments & Operations
Sialendoscopy
Sialendoscopy is a surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat salivary gland disorders, including the removal of salivary stones. This minimally invasive and non-traumatic surgical technique involves the insertion of a small telescopic tube up the duct for both diagnosis and treatment of related conditions. Any uncalcified stones, polyps, mucosal plugs, stenosis or even foreign bodies normally missed by other imaging, can be accurately assessed through this technique.
Sialendoscopy Procedure - This involves introducing a miniature endoscope into the salivary duct and treating the pathology specific to the patient. This treatment is performed under local or general anaesthesia and as a day-case procedure. Multiple salivary glands can be approached in the same sitting. Your specialist will discuss whether a sialendoscopy is appropriate, how it may benefit you, and will go through the possible risks and relatively rare complications associated with the procedure.
How is Sialendoscopy Performed?
A sialendoscope can explore narrow ducts and perform advanced procedures to reestablish salivary functions effectively. As this special endoscope uses miniature working channels, it could be utilised to introduce laser fibres to break and remove stones; remove foreign bodies with miniature graspers; dilate strictures; and use medications including steroids to activate salivary functions and relieve long-term sequelae of salivary disorders.
It also enables the placement and removal of a stent in a dilated stricture, if required. A number of stones can be pulled out with a wire basket that can expand around the stone. A dilator can also help straighten out other imperfections/kinks in the glands.
The pain is minimal and you will be given analgesics. You can also consume regular diet on Day 1. According to given instructions, the medications can be regulated to help increase the salivary flow.
This new method prevents the need for undergoing complicated surgery to remove the salivary glands entirely, which used to be the surgical approach prior to the advent of Sialendoscopy.
Salivary Gland Treatments & Operations
Prevents complications encountered in procedures for removal of salivary glands, like nerve injury that can cause permanent weakness of the lip, damage to taste sensation in the tongue, scar or disfigurement including dent in the face
Proven effective where conservative management of salivary problems has failed
Recovery from sialendoscopy is usually within 2-3 days
No risk of nerve damage or bleeding; normal anatomy of salivary gland and duct is preserved; no external scar
Overcomes diagnostic and therapeutic challenges
Cost-effective compared to open surgery and its related morbidities
Dr Naveed Basheeth does advanced procedures including recreating ducts through microscopic methods and keeping the duct patent by placing a stent.
Dr Naveed Basheeth & Sialendoscopy
Dr Naveed Basheeth is a Consultant Otolaryngologist (ENT), Head and Neck, Thyroid & Parathyroid, Advanced Facial Plastics, Microvascular and Robotic Head & Neck Surgeon and Sialendoscopy Specialist. A member and alumnus of the International Sialendoscopy Society (iSIAL), Dr Basheeth is the founder of the second sialendoscopy unit in New Zealand. With his world-class experience, Crest Hospital at Palmerston North has been providing this minimally invasive service for the past five years. Our experience and commitment at Palmerston North have motivated us to expand our footprint in the country through outsourcing and private services.
We endeavour to provide unique and wholesome sialendoscopy service with international standards for patients throughout New Zealand, through Outsourcing (DHB's) & Private. We accept referrals from across NZ and provide online consultations, treatment planning and perform sialendoscopy within 4 to 6 weeks after referral.
Referral Pathway
We provide online consultations within two weeks of referral for out-of-town residents.
Ultrasound/CT/MRI can be undertaken in the patients’ city.
Referral → In person / Online consultation / Radiological Investigations in patient’s city →
Treatment Planning through Online Consult → Fly in - Sialendoscopy – One Night Stay – Fly out
Private and outsourced referrals can be sent to: admin@entcentral.co.nz
