Outcomes of submandibular duct relocation: a 15-year experience

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Surgical Procedures
• Quality of Life Studies

Background:

• Drooling (sialorrhea) is prevalent in individuals with neurological disabilities, negatively impacting their quality of life.
• Effective management often requires a multidisciplinary team approach, incorporating both surgical and non-surgical interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of submandibular duct relocation for managing chronic drooling in patients with neurological impairment.
• To assess patient outcomes, including symptomatic improvement, parental satisfaction, and complication rates.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 56 patients (over five years old, severe neurological impairment) who underwent submandibular duct relocation.
• Patients received six months of pre-operative physiotherapy.
• Data collected via questionnaires on symptomatic improvement and parent satisfaction, supplemented by case note review.

Main Results:

• Significant reduction in drooling was observed in 49 out of 56 patients.
• High levels of parental satisfaction were reported.
• The primary complication was ranula formation in five cases; post-operative pain was a significant parental concern.

Conclusions:

• Submandibular duct relocation is a safe and highly successful surgical procedure for reducing drooling in neurologically impaired patients.
• The procedure offers a significant improvement in the quality of life for affected individuals.
• Pre-operative counseling regarding potential post-operative pain and procedure failure rates is crucial for managing parental expectations.