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. Objectives 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. Design Case series. Telephone interview of patients' families. Setting Tertiary care children's hospital. Patients Ninety-three patients with chronic sialorrhea who underwent bilateral SGE with PDL from 1988 to 1997. Main Outcome Measures 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. Conclusion Bilateral SGE with PDL is a safe and consistently efficient procedure for the treatment of chronic sialorrhea in children.