Methods: during the past 15 years sialoendoscopy has been performed at the Barzili Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel, on more then 1200 salivary glands with symptoms of obstructive diseases. This lecture reviews the progress occurred in the minimal invasive surgery instruments, from a rigid endoscope borrowed from the urologic department, through the Nahlieli sialoendoscop. An emphasis is given to the advantages of nowadays endoscope and its accompanying miniature instruments. Finally an estimation of the future developments will be raised.
Results: The average overall success rate for endoscopic sialolithotomy exceeds 86 percent.
Conclusions: Sialoendoscopy is a successful method for use in the diagnosis, treatment and postoperative management of obstructive salivary gland diseases. With the use of the new instrumentation, the modified technique and the diagnostic methods, the procedure becomes friendlier and more successful.