Long-term safety and efficacy data on botulinum toxin type A: an injection for sialorrhea

To evaluate the safety and efficacy data on salivary gland injection botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of sialorrhea.

Retrospective cohort study in a tertiary academic children's hospital.

A 10-year review (January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2010) of 69 children with sialorrhea who had undergone salivary gland injection of botulinum toxin type A.

Injection of botulinum toxin type A to the submandibular and parotid glands.

Postinjection complications, supplemental treatments, and caregiver satisfaction.

A total of 69 children were included in the study (42 boys and 27 girls). The first injection was given at a mean age of 9.9 years with a mean follow-up of 3.1 years. Children underwent ultrasonography-guided 4-gland injection at a constant dosage range. The telephone survey response rate was 51%. Postinjection complications occurred in 19 patients (23 events)-14 (15 events) with minor and 5 (8 events) with major complications. Major complications included aspiration pneumonia (n = 3), severe dysphagia (n = 2), and loss of motor control of the head (n = 3), resulting in 5 hospitalizations and 2 nasogastric tube insertions. Complications were not associated with demographic or clinical factors except for a male preponderance (P = .05). Satisfaction scores were evenly distributed among respondents. Thirty-one children (45%) required supplemental treatments: medical treatment alone (n = 21), surgical treatment alone (n = 2), and combined medical and surgical treatment (n = 8).

Although our complication rate is within the published range, some of the major complications had significant morbidity. A subsequent surgical rate of 15% suggests the efficacy is less than universal. Thus, botulinum toxin type A injection for sialorrhea in children is a useful tool but has safety and efficacy limitations.