Related Experiment Videos
Parasympathetic nerve section for control of sialorrhea
Archives of Otolaryngology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|February 1, 1977
Summary
Transtympanic nerve sectioning reduced drooling in mentally retarded patients. Bilateral sectioning of Jacobson and chorda tympani nerves yielded the best long-term results for controlling sialorrhea.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurosurgery
- Developmental Disabilities
Background:
- Sialorrhea, or excessive drooling, is a common challenge in individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- Current management strategies for severe sialorrhea often have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of transtympanic parasympathetic nerve sectioning for managing severe sialorrhea in mentally retarded patients.
- To identify surgical approaches that optimize long-term control of drooling.
Main Methods:
- Transtympanic sectioning of preganglionic parasympathetic nerve fibers to major salivary glands was performed in 20 patients.
- A subgroup of five patients underwent bilateral Jacobson nerve and chorda tympani nerve section.
Main Results:
- Initial cessation of troublesome sialorrhea was observed in 15 out of 20 patients.
- At six months postoperatively, 10 patients maintained control.
- Four out of five patients who had bilateral Jacobson and chorda tympani nerve sectioning showed sustained sialorrhea control for at least two years.
Conclusions:
- Transtympanic parasympathetic denervation of salivary glands is a viable primary treatment for considerable sialorrhea in mentally retarded individuals.
- Bilateral sectioning of both the chorda tympani and Jacobson nerves appears to improve surgical outcomes for sialorrhea control.