Pulmonary and Clinical Outcomes After Bilateral Submandibular Gland Excision and Parotid Duct Ligation for Refractory Sialorrhea

Importance: Refractory sialorrhea in children can result in pulmonary aspiration and irreversible lung damage. Despite many studies devoted to the surgical treatment of sialorrhea, there is a paucity of objective outcome measures after surgery, especially with regard to pulmonary health. Objectives: To assess whether bilateral submandibular gland excision and bilateral parotid duct ligation ("DROOL" procedure) is associated with reduced pulmonary inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples after surgery and to assess patient factors associated with improvement after surgery. Design, Setting, And Participants: This retrospective case series included all 112 patients undergoing the DROOL procedure at a single tertiary care pediatric children's hospital from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2021. Statistical analysis was performed from March 30 to June 10, 2023, and August 20 to September 23, 2023. Exposure: DROOL procedure for refractory sialorrhea. Main Outcomes And Measures: Degree of pulmonary inflammation (neutrophil percentage) according to BAL cytologic findings and overall bronchoscopy findings up to 12 months before and after the DROOL procedure. Secondary outcomes included number of annual hospitalizations, caregiver report of function before and after the procedure, and need for revision procedures and/or additional operations for secretion management. Results: A total of 112 patients (median age, 3.4 years [IQR, 2.0-7.1 years]; 65 boys [58.0%]) underwent DRO