Drooling: analysis and evaluation of 31 children who underwent bilateral submandibular gland excision and parotid duct ligation

Submandibular excision with and without parotid duct ligation for sialorrhoea

In this case series with retrospective review we compared the outcomes of patients with sialorrhoea who had a submandibular excision (SE) alone and those who had submandibular excision with parotid duct ligation (SE + PL) between 2012 and 2018. Primary endpoints of complication rates and caregivers' perceptions of success were collected. A total of 41 submandibular excisions were performed for sialorrhoea (26 patients underwent SE, while 15 underwent SE + PL). Significant differences in the groups existed at baseline with patients in the SE plus PL group being more likely to have a tracheostomy (p = 0.015), to use sublingual atropine (p = 0.038) and respiratory medications (albuterol p = 0.0075, gentamicin p = 0.018), to have more pneumonias six months prior to the procedure (p < 0.001), and more hospitalisations six months prior to the procedure (p = 0.046). More postoperative surgical site complications were associated with ligation (p = 0.012). There was no difference in systemic infection (p = 0.25), and no difference in caregivers' perceptions of success in reducing sialorrhoea (18/24 SE compared with 10/14 SE + PL, p = 1.00). There were more surgical site complications in those undergoing SE plus PL than in those who had SE alone. Given this data, parotid duct ligation may not yield additional benefit when combined with submandibular excision.

Surgical Management of Sialorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Chronic sialorrhea commonly occurs in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. While conservative management can provide sufficient symptom control, surgical intervention is often required. One of the most common procedures utilized is submandibular gland excision (SMGE), with or without parotid duct ligation or rerouting (PDL or PDR). This study aims to compare these surgical approaches and their outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase.

REVIEW METHODS

This systematic review includes studies of patients with chronic sialorrhea treated with SMGE alone or SMGE plus PDR or PDL and reports on postintervention outcomes and complications. Two independent investigators assessed study eligibility, rated quality, and extracted data for analysis. A random effects model was used for meta-analysis of pooled data.

RESULTS

Of 3186 studies identified, 21 met inclusion criteria, with 708 patients: 103 underwent SMGE alone (15%); 299 (42%), SMGE and PDL; and 306 (43%), SMGE plus PDR. Overall, a majority of patients had significant improvement, with very good to excellent control of symptoms after surgery: SMGE, 82% (95% CI, 73%-89%); SMGE and PDL, 79% (95% CI, 73%-85%); and SMGE and PDR, 85% (95% CI, 75%-92%). Importantly, there was no significant difference in outcomes with the addition of PDL or PDR. Reported complications included sialocele, parotitis, dental caries, and dry mouth.

CONCLUSION

Our systematic review identified consistent positive outcomes with SMGE for patients with chronic sialorrhea but no additional benefit when PDR or PDL was performed as a concurrent procedure.

Otorhinolaryngology/maxillofacial disorders

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Upper respiratory infections are ubiquitous

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Voice changes may herald laryngeal cancer

Dysphagia and aspiration in children

Aspiration is a significant cause of respiratory morbidity and sometimes mortality in children. It occurs when airway protective reflexes fail, especially, when dysphagia is also present. Clinical symptoms and physical findings of aspiration can be nonspecific. Advances in technology can lead to early diagnosis of dysphagia and aspiration, and, new therapeutic advances can significantly improve outcome and prognosis. This report first reviews the anatomy and physiology involved in the normal process of swallowing. Next, the protective reflexes that help to prevent aspiration are discussed followed by the pathophysiologic events that occur after an aspiration event. Various disease processes that can result in dysphagia and aspiration in children are discussed. Finally, the various methods for diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia in children are reviewed.