[Therapeutic approach to post-radiation xerostomia. A reservoir prosthesis and an artificial salivary gland]. / Approche thérapeutique de la xérostomie post-radique. Prothèse réservoir et "glande salivaire artificielle".

Radiation-induced xerostomia is an incapacitating sequela of salivary gland irradiation in patients receiving tumoricidal X-ray therapeutical doses for cancer of the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. All stimulant type therapeutics available are powerless to bring back wetness into the mouth of patients with asialia. Replacement therapy constitutes the only alternative for symptomatic treatment. Artificial salivary gland sprays have a proven unsustained, short-lasting efficacy. The administration of an oral mucine-containing salivary emollient solution drip, presented either in the form of an oral or external container, constitutes an original symptomatic treatment regimen, the efficacy of which has been established. The authors here review the concept and methodology of their palliative treatment protocol against chronic asialia.