Prospective analysis of the outcome of surgical management of drooling in the pediatric population: A 10-year experience

Abstract

Background: Sialorrhea is a common problem in the neurologically impaired pediatric patient and surgery is the mainstay of treatment for severely affected patients refractory to conservative or medical treatment. Methods: The results of the surgical protocol used since 1993 at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, are reported. Seventy-two patients underwent bilateral submandibular duct transposition combined with bilateral sublingual gland excision. Patients were analyzed prospectively and reviewed at 1, 6, and 12 months, then at 2 and 5 years postoperatively. Results: Of 67 patients with 2 years of complete follow-up, the median score for the frequency of drooling fell fro..