[The management of drooling in patients with cerebral palsy--submandibular duct relocation].
Drooling is a significant problem demonstrated by individuals of all ages with a variety of etiologies such as neurological disorders, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and others. Persistent drooling not only creates troublesome hygienic problems for patients, teachers, nurses, and playmates because of the constant soiling of clothes, toys, and work materials, but also causes an odor from their clothing and bibs. The older patient with normal cognition is disturbed by the drooling and may become depressed and reclusive. Successful management of drooling alleviates these problems, improves appearance and self-esteem and significantly reduces the time involved in the care of the sufferers. The author, who had studied at the University of Toronto for 2 years, acquired the technique of submandibular duct relocation under the guidance of Dr. Crysdale. We carried out the surgical procedure of submandibular duct relocation for drooling on six patients who had cerebral palsy. The surgical procedure resulted in a dramatic decrease in drooling and odor levels. All of them improved in appearance, and the time involved in the care of the suffers was significantly reduced. The complication of ranula, however, appeared in two cases, which suggested a much higher frequency than that in the report of Crysdale. It seems that a detailed explanation to parents and teachers about the advantages and disadvantages of submandibular duct relocation is important.
Maeda
T
T
Department of Pedodontics, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo.
Takei
K
K
Seki
M
M
Kawashima
S
S
Akasaka
M
M
Matsumoto
M
M
Tanaka
H
H
Kurihara
Y
Y
D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011900:Ranula / Q000209:etiology; D012798:Sialorrhea / Q000601:surgery*; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000601:surgery*