Botulinum toxin in the treatment of sialorrhea in severe neurological patients with tracheotomy.

(1) The drooling severity scale (DSFS-S), the drooling frequency scale (DSFS-F), the drooling frequency and severity scale total score (DSFS-T) were significantly lower at 4 weeks after BTA injection compared to prior-treatment (p < .001). (2) uSFR of 1 week and 4 weeks were both statistically decreased than the untreated condition (p < .001). (3) Compared with the conventional group, the time of changing from balloon cannula to metal cannula was shortened obviously (p < .05) and incidence of recurrent pulmonary infection was clearly decreased (p < .05) after BTA treatment CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided BTA injection into salivary glands can effectively reduce saliva secretion. We also found that the time of changing cannula was shortened obviously and the incidence of recurrent pneumonia infection was reduced. BTA injection of salivary glands to cure drooling could advance to the clinical therapy in severe neurological patients after tracheotomy.