Carbon Dioxide Laser-assisted Giant Sialolith Removal from Wharton\'s Duct

Abstract

Carbon dioxide laser is a highly effective tool for numerous intraoral surgical procedures. Its use for sialolithotomy has been well documented in the literature because of its ability to achieve hemostasis at the time of incision of the Wharton's duct and the painless nature of the procedure requiring just topical anesthesia or local anesthetic nerve block at the most. As carbon dioxide laser has a high absorption coefficient for water, saliva in the oral cavity acts as a substrate and hence the deeper penetration of the beam and subsequent injury to adjacent structures is prevented. We describe a case of a giant sialolith of the Wharton's duct, which was successfully removed by carbon dioxide laser-assisted sialolithotomy.