KIMS Guest Lecture: Sialendoscopy Can Cure Salivary Gland Sans Scars, Says Expert

Bhubaneswar: Advanced medical care is not just a tool for treating complex cases but also eliminates possibility of surgery-related scars. Sialendoscopy is one such path-breaking procedure in treating salivary gland-related diseases which leaves no facial scars if a patient needs surgical intervention, renowned Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) surgeon Prof. Milind M Navalakhe said while speaking during the Guest Lecture Series at KIMS Hospital here.

Prof. Navalakhe, who is associated with GS Seth Medical College & KEM Hospital in Mumbai, said that the procedure is suitable for patients of all ages – new-borns to octogenarians – due to its precision and result-driven approach.

“In the age of selfies and minimally invasive surgery, people are averse to scars on their skin and it’s a big no when their face is involved. Therefore, Sialendoscopy is the best possible way for diseases relating to salivary glands both for their diagnosis and treatment,” he explained.

Prof. Navalakhe also spoke about the potential of endoscopic methods in managing salivary gland issues, including removal of salivary gland stones, known as Sialolithiasis.

Prof. Navalakhe is the second Indian ENT surgeon to undergo specialised training in Sialendoscopy and is also the first practitioner in private sector to have performed nearly 2,000 such surgeries till now.

He conducted four live demonstration surgeries for faculty members and residents during his visit to KIMS.

He did acknowledge that Sialendoscopy procedure can be expensive, primarily due to the cost of one-time-use accessories. The estimated cost of a diagnostic Sialendoscopy process is around Rs 70,000, while a surgical procedure like removal of salivary gland stones (Sialolithiasis) may cost approximately 1.5 lakh.

Several dignitaries, including Dean of R&D and Head of Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology Prof. Ramnath Misra, Medical Superintendent Prof. Rama Chandra Das, Vice-Principal Prof. Shubhransu Patro, Additional Medical Superintendent Prof. Kabi Kanta Samantray and Head of Department of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) Prof. Khageswar Rout attended the Guest Lecture by Prof. Navalakhe.