Factors influencing intraoral removal of submandibular calculi.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of intraoral removal of submandibular calculi based on several factors that may influence the results of surgery.

Study Design And Setting: We retrospectively reviewed 172 patients who underwent intraoral removal of submandibular sialolithiasis. Results of surgery were divided into complete removal, partial removal, and failure. The effect of location, palpability, size, and presence of infection of the calculi on the results was estimated.

Results: Univariate analysis showed that palpability and presence of infection were statistically significant factors affecting intraoral removal. Palpability was the only significant factor after multivariate analysis. Twelve of 13 patients with recurrent calculi underwent repeat intraoral removal successfully.

Conclusions: The palpability of submandibular calculi is the most important factor influencing their successful intraoral removal.

Significance: Intraoral removal can be performed successfully regardless of location, size, presence of infection, or recurrence of calculi, if the calculi are palpable.