The interventional sialendoscopy allows salivary stones to be endoscopically removed and to dilate strictures in the ductal system. The endoscopic cannula used for this also has a working channel of 0.65 mm in diameter in addition to the irrigating channel. A wide variety of instruments can then be inserted into the duct through this channel. A small wire basket, a laser probe and a small balloon are the most commonly used micro instruments.

Salivary stones with a diameter of 3-4mm can be drawn out of the excretory duct using the wire basket. Larger stones are viewed with an endoscope and are then shattered using the Holmium:YAG-laser, so that the fragments can be retrieved with the basket (laser lithotrypsy).

If the stone is larger than 3 to 4 mm it is retrieved via a small incision in the floor of the mouth. The excretory duct of the gland is then reconstructed and a small silicone drain is inserted.

These endoscopic operations are usually carried out under general intubation anaesthesia. After the procedure patients should drink plenty to stimulate the flow of saliva and thereby rinse out the cleared salivary ducts. Usually full function is restored to the salivary glands after a certain recovering time and so they can be preserved.