GMERS Medical College and Hospital has successfully performed advanced sialendoscopy procedures to treat patients suffering from severe salivary gland pain, including a non-resident Indian (NRI) who experienced intense discomfort even at the thought of food.
The case was reported by The Times of India (TOI), highlighting the hospital’s growing expertise in minimally invasive salivary duct interventions.
According to The Times of India, the NRI patient sought treatment after experiencing sharp pain near the jaw whenever he anticipated eating. The discomfort was reportedly so intense that even thinking about food triggered symptoms.
Doctors diagnosed the condition as a salivary duct obstruction. Salivary glands produce saliva, which aids digestion and oral health. When a duct becomes blocked, often due to stones (sialolithiasis) or narrowing, saliva accumulates, causing swelling and severe pain, particularly during meals.
This phenomenon occurs because salivary flow increases in response to food stimuli, including smell or thought, leading to pressure buildup if the duct is obstructed.
Sialendoscopy is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure used to diagnose and treat disorders of the salivary glands. According to medical resources from Johns Hopkins Medicine, the procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible endoscope into the salivary duct to:
Identify blockages
Remove small stones
Dilate narrowed ducts
Irrigate infection
Unlike traditional open surgery, sialendoscopy preserves the salivary gland and typically results in faster recovery, minimal scarring, and reduced complications.
The Times of India further reported that GMERS doctors treated other patients with similar symptoms, including individuals who experienced recurring facial swelling and sharp pain during meals due to salivary duct stones.
In these cases, sialendoscopy allowed doctors to remove obstructions without removing the gland itself, preventing long-term dryness and functional impairment.
Hospital officials noted that such advanced procedures are relatively uncommon in government medical institutions and require specialized training and equipment.
Salivary duct obstruction most commonly affects the submandibular gland but can also involve the parotid gland. Symptoms may include:
Pain during meals
Swelling near the jaw or cheek
Dry mouth
Recurrent infections
Stones form when minerals crystallize within the duct, blocking saliva flow. Risk factors may include dehydration, certain medications, or reduced salivary flow.
Early diagnosis improves outcomes and reduces the need for invasive surgery.
The successful procedures at GMERS Medical College and Hospital demonstrate expanding access to minimally invasive techniques in public sector hospitals.
By preserving gland function and reducing recovery time, sialendoscopy aligns with modern otolaryngology practices.
According to TOI, the hospital has now positioned itself among select centers in the region capable of performing such specialized interventions.
The advanced sialendoscopy procedures performed at GMERS Medical College and Hospital in Vadodara have provided relief to patients experiencing severe salivary gland pain, including an NRI whose symptoms were triggered even by thinking about food.
As awareness of salivary duct disorders increases, minimally invasive techniques such as sialendoscopy are emerging as effective treatment options that preserve gland function while reducing surgical risks.
(Rh)