Submandibular Duct Relocation for Drooling: A 10-Year Experience with 194 Patients

Abstract

Management of drooling in the neurologically disabled individual has been accomplished with a team approach using surgical and nonsurgical methodology. Submandibular duct relocation has been the primary surgical procedure of choice in 194 patients during the past 10 years. Drooling has been reduced significantly in the majority of patients. Ranulas requiring intraoral sublingual gland excision occurred in 8% of patients. Persistent submandibular duct obstruction necessitating external excision of the submandibular gland occurred in 1% of the ducts relocated.