Purpose: No standardized treatment regimen exists for juvenile recurrent parotitis (JRP). The investigators hypothesized that irrigation with saline only without local anesthesia will be an effective and beneficial option.
Methods: Using a retrospective study design, a series of children with typical symptoms of JRP who were treated with at least one irrigation therapy were evaluated. This treatment consisted of irrigation of the affected gland with 3-10 ml saline solution without any type of anesthesia. The outcome variables were patient/parent satisfaction, frequency and duration of acute JRP episodes, and the need for antibiotics before and after irrigation therapy.
Results: The case series was composed of six boys aged 3.3-7.7 years who experienced one to eight sessions of irrigation therapy. The period of follow-up was 9-64 months. We observed a total resolution of symptoms in two children and an improvement in the other four. No relevant side effects were seen.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that irrigation therapy is a reasonable, simple, and minimally invasive treatment alternative for JRP. In contrast to sialendoscopy or sialography, there is no need for general anesthesia or radiation exposure.
Keywords: Chronic juvenile recurrent parotitis; Interventional procedure; Minimally invasive therapy; Salivary glands.
© 2021. The Author(s).