Drooling and Aspiration of Saliva

Abstract

Drooling and aspiration of saliva can affect the quality of life and morbidity of patients with neuromuscular diseases. Practitioners must differentiate between drooling with and without aspiration of saliva, as the presence of aspiration affects respiratory health. There are several validated drooling scales, but validated assessments for aspiration of saliva are lacking. Once diagnosed, drooling can be treated with rehabilitative therapy, anticholinergics, botulinum toxin to the salivary glands, and surgery. Drooling with aspiration of saliva often requires multidisciplinary engagement to decrease the risk of respiratory complications.

Keywords: Aspiration of saliva; Botulinum toxin injections to the salivary glands; Drooling; Duct ligation; Sialorrhea; Submandibular gland excision.