New Minimally Invasive Technique to Treat Tonsil Stones Developed by Dr. Chang

Dr. Chang developed an innovative minimally invasive technique to treat tonsil stones using coblation technology. His findings have been published in this month's ENT Journal. In fact, his research made the front cover of the journal! Dr. Richard Thrasher of ENT Centers of Texas was a co-author in the study.

This technique called coblation tonsil cryptolysis is unique in that it can be performed in adult patients without sedation using only local anesthesia, much like laser tonsil cryptolysis. As with laser cryptolysis, pain is significant for only a few days and most adults can resume normal diet and activity within 1 week. In contrast, tonsillectomy entails significant morbidity for several weeks. However, coblation avoids the significant disadvantages of laser use, including the potential for airway fire, retinal damage from reflected scatter, dealing with plume from vaporized tissues, oral/facial burns, and the high cost of purchasing and maintaining laser equipment. After a single session of coblation tonsil cryptolysis, a significant decrease and even elimination of tonsil stones can potentially be achieved.

Read more about this mode of treatment here.

Read the research article here.

Video of Endoscopic Salivary Stone Removal (Sialendoscopy)

The Doctors TV show actually produced a great (and accurate) segment on a relatively new procedure called sialendoscopy. This procedure allows a surgeon to remove a stone that may be blocking your spit gland from draining saliva into the mouth. This is analogous to a kidney stone which blocks urine from draining from the kidney into the bladder resulting in painful swelling of the kidney (causing flank pain).

How does a person know if they have a salivary gland blockage due to a stone? There is a painful swelling located right in front and/or below the ear if the parotid gland is affected, or under the jawbone if the submandibular gland is blocked.

If the blockage persists long enough, it may lead to an infection of the gland itself (sialadenitis).

Traditionally, if the stone doesn't pass on its own with conservative measures, stone removal required surgical removal of the entire gland or making an incision and removing the stone like it's a tumor mass.

Watch the video of this procedure being performed as shown on The Doctors here.

At this time, the only local surgeon I am aware of who offers this unique procedure in the mid-Atlantic region is Dr. Arjun Joshi.

Dr. Arjun Joshi (George Washington University Hospital in Washington DC)
2021 K St NW, Ste 206
Washington, DC 20006
Office Number: 202-741-3250
www.dcheadandneck.com

New Video on Tonsil Cryptolysis to Address Tonsil Stones

A new video has been uploaded describing a minimally invasive technique to address tonsil stones called tonsil cryptolysis.

This technique accomplishes the same thing as laser cryptolysis but at lower cost and increased safety. Just like laser cryptolysis, this procedure can be done awake without any sedation using only local anesthesia (the caveat being that the patient must have minimal/no gag reflex with easy visualization of the tonsils).

Watch the video below or on YouTube. Read more about this procedure here.