Drooling treatments and therapy
Drooling can lead to many problems. These can involve saturation of clothing and related social issues or, in the most severe cases, aspiration pneumonia. Treatment generally starts with medical therapy and drying agents such as Robinyl.
However, if the medication is not effective, then surgery is considered. Surgery consists of tying off the drainage duct of the cheek (parotid) salivary glands within the mouth. In addition, we either tie off the ducts or remove the under jaw (submandibular) salivary glands. Following surgery the glands, or area around them, can swell or become infected. The surgery usually can cut down on saliva production by about 50 –75 %.
Call Pediatric Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists of Illinois for more information or to schedule an appointment.