Episode # 229 • 01 Jul 2025
Sialendoscopy: Office-Based Techniques & Best Practices
The sour candy myth: why it’s not always the right Rx for salivary gland obstruction. In this episode, Dr. Wais Rahmati, a board-certified otolaryngologist at Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, discusses the development of a comprehensive salivary gland center and the focus on office-based sialendoscopy with host Dr. Ashley Agan.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
02:40 - History and Evolution of Office-Based Endoscopy
05:32 - Understanding Obstructive Salivary Gland Disease
09:36 - Patient Selection and Office-Based Procedures
14:45 -Imaging and Diagnostic Approaches
20:50 - Office Setup and Procedure Details
30:38 - Injecting Mucosa for Better Access
31:10 - Using Sour Candy to Stimulate Saliva
32:29 - Dilation and Anesthesia Techniques
37:05 - Handling Stones and Stents
40:44 - Treating Stenosis in the Office
47:16 - Post-Procedure Care and Instructions
49:42 - Billing and Reimbursement Challenges
54:43 - Future of Salivary Gland Endoscopy
Resources
You may also like
More about this episode
The doctors explore the benefits of incorporating salivary endoscopy in the office setting, including minimally invasive and gland-sparing approaches to treat obstructive salivary gland diseases. Dr. Rahmati shares the criteria for patient selection, techniques in the procedure, and post-operative care. They also touch upon the challenges and strategies for reimbursement and the significance of tracking codes to eventually establish dedicated CPT codes for sialendoscopy.
The Materials available on BackTable are provided for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the independent professional judgment of a qualified healthcare professional in diagnosing or treating patients. Any opinions, statements, or views expressed are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, platform, or any affiliated organization.