Improvement of dry mouth following intraductal irrigation of salivary glands

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the effect of major salivary gland intraductal irrigations (IGs) to relieve mouth dryness.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of patients with mouth dryness who underwent major salivary gland IG during 2013-2015. Records included demographics, medical background, dry mouth etiologies and symptomatology, and results of sialometry and sialo-cone-beam computerized tomography. Subjective improvement following the IG procedure (yes/no) and sustained subjective improvement (mouth dryness relief for ≥1 month) were recorded. Objective improvement was assessed by comparing the mean unstimulated (USF) and stimulated (SSF) whole salivary flow (WSF) rate before and after the IG.

Results: Seventy-four patients were included [mean age: 59.08 ± 12.46 years]. Improvement was detected in the USF (p = .027), but not in the SSF (p = .878). Fifty-five (84.6%) noted subjective improvement, while 10 (15.4%) did not. Subjective improvement was positively associated with the USF following IG (p = .037), with salivary gland swelling episodes (p = .033), and with difficulties in swallowing dry foods (p = .014). Of those with subjective improvement, 45 (81.8%) reported sustained improvement, which was positively associated with lack of a gritty eye sensation (p = .042) and abnormal sialo-CBCT findings (p = .001).

Conclusions: Major salivary gland IG is a simple and safe procedure that may relieve dry mouth for a relatively extended duration. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings and assess their underlying mechanisms.

Keywords: dry mouth; intraductal salivary irrigation; medication-induced salivary gland dysfunction; saliva; salivary flow; salivary glands.