Efficacy of Relocation of Submandibular Duct in Cerebral Palsy Patients with Drooling

ObjectiveThe efficacy of relocating the submandibular duct to treat drooling in children with cerebral palsy was studied.MethodsThis was a prospective study to assess, using a visual analogue score by the parents of the patients, the efficacy of relocating the submandibular duct to treat drooling, comparing pre- and postoperative drooling. Complications were also recorded.ResultsEight children were included in this study. Their mean age was 9.75 years (range, 6–14 years). Seven patients (87.5%) had significant reduction of drooling (from a score of ≥ 7 before surgery to ≤ 2 after surgery). All the parents of the eight children (100%) were happy with the outcome and would recommend the procedure to the parents of other children. Mean length of hospital stay was 4 days (range, 2–7 days). Three patients developed complications; one patient developed ranula 1 month postoperatively. This was successfully treated by marsupialization. Two patients developed bilateral submandibular sialoadenitis 3 days postoperatively, which resolved with antibiotic therapy.ConclusionWe conclude that this procedure is effective and safe in reducing drooling in patients with cerebral palsy.