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Parotid duct ligation for treatment of drooling in children with neurological impairment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 March 2009

R L Heywood ,
L A Cochrane  and
B E J Hartley
R L Heywood*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
L A Cochrane
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
B E J Hartley
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Miss R Heywood, Department of Otolaryngology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London WC1N 3JH, UK. E-mail: rebecca_heywood@yahoo.com
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Abstract

Objective:

Multiple surgical procedures have been advocated for the management of problematic drooling in neurologically impaired children. Parotid duct ligation is a quick and simple operation conducted via an intra-oral approach and usually performed simultaneously with other procedures. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of parotid duct ligation as a discrete procedure.

Methods:

All children who underwent bilateral parotid duct ligation as the solitary operative intervention at that time, between February 2003 and September 2006, were included in the study.

Results:

Ten children were studied. Surgery was successful in 80 per cent of cases. One patient (10 per cent) had a post-operative wound infection.

Conclusions:

Bilateral parotid duct ligation is an effective yet conservative operation for drooling in neurologically impaired children. It requires minimal surgical dissection and has a low morbidity rate. It should be considered as a potential first-line procedure in children who aspirate, and as a further surgical option in anterior droolers or those who continue to drool unacceptably following prior surgical intervention.

Keywords

SialorrhoeaParotid GlandSalivary DuctsLigation

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 123 , Issue 9 , September 2009 , pp. 997 - 1001
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

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