Review of management of drooling problems in neurologically impaired children: a review of methods and results over 6 years at Chailey Heritage Clinical Services
Rvl. Faulconbridge et al., Review of management of drooling problems in neurologically impaired children: a review of methods and results over 6 years at Chailey Heritage Clinical Services, CLIN OTOLAR, 26(2), 2001, pp. 76-81
Drooling can be a difficult problem for a child to endure, both physically
and socially, especially if they are also having to cope with physical disa
bilities. Chailey Heritage Clinical Services and associated School look aft
er a large number of severely physically disabled children and adolescents.
This paper reviews the management strategy of the multidisciplinary oral-m
otor clinic at Chailey Heritage Clinical Services, and reviews the results
of children treated between 1990 and 1996. The management ranges from oral-
motor skills training through palatal training appliances to surgery. Seven
ty-eight children, ranging from 3 to 17 years, were treated and there were
complete records for 73. Eighteen per cent responded to oral skills trainin
g alone. Thirty per cent of children had good results with a palatal traini
ng appliance and did not need any further intervention. Forty-seven per cen
t of patients underwent some form of surgery to control their drooling. Onl
y 8% of children were treated with medication.