[Surgical approach to sialorrhea: a casuistic review and evaluation of grade of satisfaction].

INTRODUCTION: Droolingor sialorrheais the involuntary, passive spillageof saliva from the mouth due to inability to handle oral secretions. The medical, psychosocial and economic impact of droolingis underestimated. Treatment should always involve a multidisciplinary team and can include a medical or surgical approach. Various surgical techniques are used to manage drooling; re-routing of the salivary ducts is one of the preferred methods in more significant situations. OBJECTIVES: To analyze retrospectively the group of children submitted to surgical correction of droolingin Sao Teotonio's Hospital and evaluate the clinical and caregiver satisfaction outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyse the clinical process of children submitted to surgical correction of drooling. Satisfaction scores were obtained by phone interview. RESULTS: Between January of 2003 and June of 2009, 16 child were submitted to surgical intervention for drooling, with a total of 17 surgeries. Most of them were males and have ages between 3 and 23 years, with the majority with ages between 10 and 15 years. All of them suffered from neurologic disease, mainly cerebral palsy. The majority were hospitalised for I to 2 days and no surgical complications were observed. In a significant percentage, good results were obtained and in 3 cases total resolution of droolingwere reported. In about 44% of caregivers stayed very happy with the results of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Droolingis an important comorbility in child with neuro-muscular disease and is treatment can never be underestimated. By the analyses of the results of our surgical center, the re-routing of salivary ducts method reveals to be effective.