Bilateral submandibular gland excision with parotid duct ligation for treatment of sialorrhea in children: long-term results.
BACKGROUND
Multiple procedures have been advocated for the surgical control of chronic sialorrhea in children. However, some of them are associated with significant complications or only short-term success.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety of bilateral submandibular gland excision (SGE) with parotid duct ligation (PDL) and to assess its long-term complications and efficacy in the treatment of chronic sialorrhea in children.


METHODS
Case series. Telephone interview of patients' families.


METHODS
Tertiary care children's hospital.


METHODS
Ninety-three patients with chronic sialorrhea who underwent bilateral SGE with PDL from 1988 to 1997.


METHODS
Operative and postoperative complications, length of postoperative hospitalization, postoperative drooling, care requirements, xerostomia, dental caries, and overall satisfaction.


RESULTS
The mean postoperative stay was 2.4 days. There were 3 postoperative complications. Seventy-two families were interviewed (follow-up time, 1-10 years): 62 (87%) reported no further drooling or significant improvement; 7 reported the occurrence of dry mouth; and 2 reported an increase in dental caries.


CONCLUSIONS
Bilateral SGE with PDL is a safe and consistently efficient procedure for the treatment of chronic sialorrhea in children.
Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, 14 Kaplan St, Petah Tiqva 49 202, Israel. sterngoldberg@bezeqint.net
Yoram
Y
Stern
Rafael
R
Feinmesser
Michael
M
Collins
Sally R
SR
Shott
Robin T
RT
Cotton
D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008026:Ligation; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012449:Safety; D018987:Salivary Ducts / Q000601:surgery*; D012798:Sialorrhea / Q000601:surgery*; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome