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

Abstract

AbstractObjective: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.