Surgical elimination of drooling

Drooling involves great practical problems in the care of patients with cerebral paralysis and mental deficiency. Different types of medical and surgical treatments have been used. In 17 disabled patients chorda tympani has been cut bilaterally in order to reduce the production of saliva, especially from the submandibular and sublingual glands. The loss of taste on the anterior part of the tongue seems to contribute to the reduction of salivation. Fifteen patients have been observed postoperatively during two to four years. Five patients have been cured, two are considerably improved and seven partially improved. The effect of nerve section was illustrated by Tc m 99 scintigraphy in two additional cases before operation and six months postoperatively. No complications were observed.