Efficacy of Relocation of Submandibular Duct in Cerebral Palsy Patients with Drooling

Abstract

The efficacy of relocating the submandibular duct to treat drooling in children with cerebral palsy was studied. Methods: This was a prospective study to assess, using a visual analogue score by the parents of the patients, the efficacy of relocating the submandibular duct to treat drooling, comparing pre- and postoperative drooling. Complications were also recorded. Results: Eight children were included in this study. Their mean age was 9.75 years (range, 6–14 years). Seven patients (87.5%) had significant reduction of drooling (from a score of ≥ 7 before surgery to ≤ 2 after surgery). All the parents of the eight children (100%) were happy with the outcome and would recommend the procedure to the parents of other children. Mean length of hospital stay was 4 days (range, 2–7 days). Three patients developed complications; one patient developed ranula 1 month postoperatively. This was successfully treated by marsupialization. Two patients developed bilateral submandibular sialoadenitis 3 days postoperatively, which resolved with antibiotic therapy. Conclusion: We conclude that this procedure is effective and safe in reducing drooling in patients with cerebral palsy.

Keywords

• cerebral palsy
• drooling
• submandibular duct