The Effectiveness of Botulinum Toxin Type A Injections in the Management of Sialorrhea

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate theeffect of Botulinum toxin type A by injecting in thesubmandibular and parotid glands on the frequencyand severity of sialorrhea.Methods: Pediatric patients who were referred to ourdepartment with sialorrhea were evaluated using theirparents’ frequency and severity scores of sialorrheawith visual analog scales before and after 3 months ofbotulinum toxin type A injections. Bilateral submandibular and parotid glands were injected with Botulinum toxin type A.Results: Twenty-seven pediatric patients who werereferred to our department with a complaint of sialorrhea were included in this study. Seventeen patientswere female and 10 were male. Severe sialorrhea withcerebral palsy was present in all the patients. Therewere no complications after the procedure.Conclusion: Botulinum toxin A injected in the majorsalivary glands in pediatric patients with neurologicaldisorders is a safe and effective method.Keywords: Sialorrhea, botulinum toxin, parotid gland,submandibular gland, cerebral palsy