The Effectiveness of Botulinum Toxin Type A Injections in the Management of Sialorrhea

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Botulinum toxin type A by injecting in the submandibular and parotid glands on the frequency and severity of sialorrhea.Methods: Pediatric patients who were referred to our department with sialorrhea were evaluated using their parents’ frequency and severity scores of sialorrhea with visual analog scales before and after 3 months of botulinum toxin type A injections. Bilateral submandibular and parotid glands were injected with Botulinum toxin type A.Results: Twenty-seven pediatric patients who were referred to our department with a complaint of sialorrhea were included in this study. Seventeen patients were female and 10 were male. Severe sialorrhea with cerebral palsy was present in all the patients. There were no complications after the procedure.Conclusion: Botulinum toxin A injected in the major salivary glands in pediatric patients with neurological disorders is a safe and effective method.

Keywords

• sialorrhea
• botulinum toxin
• parotid gland
• submandibular gland
• cerebral palsy