use of carbon dioxide laser to remoe small submandibular sialoliths

Six cases of small submandibular duct sialoliths were treated using carbon dioxide laser as a surgical dissector. When the laser beam encountered the small submandibular sialolith [3 mm or less], a light scattering effect [flash or burst] was observed thus enabling an almost immediate localization of the stone in the salivary duct or in the surrounding tissue. Stone extirpation is more rapid, with less surgical trauma, using this technique