Efficacy of matrix rhythm therapy (MaRhyThe©) over conventional therapy on radiation induced trismus-A pilot randomised control trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Prevalence of radiation induced trismus in head and neck cancer (HNC) is 38% to 42% globally. Radiation induced trismus depends on the dosage of the radiation therapy and the surgical procedure. Myofascial release (MFR) and Matrix rhythm therapy (MaRhyThe©) are techniques used to treat the myofascial pain and muscular restriction. The present study aimed to compare the effect of MFR and MaRhyThe© on pain, mouth opening, TMJ disability index (TDI), Gothenburg Trismuus Questionnaire (GTQ), Functional Intraoral Glasgow Scale (FIGS) and quality of life in participants with Radiation induced trismus. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: About 30 participants in age group of 18 to 65 years diagnosed with radiation induced trismus were included in the study. All the participants were randomly allocated in 2 groups MFR group and MaRhyThe© group. Both the group received structured exercise program. Primary outcomes were Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Vernier Caliper reading for maximum mouth opening. Secondary outcome measure viz. GTQ, TDI, FIGS and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck (FACT-HN) all obtained values were analyzed at the end of 4th week. RESULTS: The present study demonstrated significant improvement in terms of reduction in pain, improvement in maximum mouth opening and in GTQ, TMD, FIGS, and FACT-HN scores in all the participants in both group (p ≤ 0.05). However, the groups showed equal effectiveness in the treatment of radiation induced trismus.

An Evaluation of the Effects of Pineapple-Extract and Bromelain-Based Treatment after Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Randomized Three-Arm Clinical Study.

A three-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted to assess the impact of lyophilized pineapple extract with titrated bromelain (Brome-Inf®) and purified bromelain on pain, swelling, trismus, and quality of life (QoL) following the surgical extraction of the mandibular third molars. Furthermore, this study examined the need for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) by comparing their effects with a placebo group. This study enrolled 42 individuals requiring the extraction of a single mandibular third molar under local anesthesia. The patients were randomly assigned to receive Brome-Inf®, purified bromelain, or a placebo orally, initiating treatment on the day of surgery and continuing for the next 7 days. The primary outcome measured was the requirement for NSAIDs in the three groups. Pain, swelling, and trismus were secondary outcome variables, evaluated postoperatively at 1, 3, and 7 days. This study also assessed the comparative efficacy of freeze-dried pineapple extract and single-component bromelain. Ultimately, the placebo group showed a statistically higher need for ibuprofen (from days 1 to 7) at the study's conclusion (p < 0.0001). In addition, reductions in pain and swelling were significantly higher in both the bromelain and pineapple groups (p < 0.0001 for almost all patients, at all intervals) than in the placebo group. The active groups also demonstrated a significant difference in QoL compared to the placebo group (p < 0.001). A non-significant reduction in trismus occurred in the treatment groups compared to the placebo group. Therefore, the administration of pineapple extract titrated in bromelain showed significant analgesic and anti-edema effects in addition to improving QoL in the postoperative period for patients who had undergone mandibular third molar surgery. Moreover, both bromelain and Brome-Inf® supplementation reduced the need for ibuprofen to comparable extents, proving that they are good alternatives to NSAIDs in making the postoperative course more comfortable for these patients. A further investigation with larger samples is necessary to assess the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory impacts of the entire pineapple phytocomplex in surgical procedures aside from mandibular third molar surgery.

Efficacy of auriculotherapy in the control of pain, edema, and trismus following surgical extraction of the lower third molars: a split-mouth, randomized, placebo-controlled, and triple-blind study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this split-mouth, randomized, placebo-controlled, and triple-blind study was to evaluate whether auriculotherapy had any effect on the post-operative course after the extraction of third molars in terms of the control of pain, edema, and trismus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 42 patients (84 teeth) who had undergone a surgical extraction of the lower third molars. In each patient, the two extractions were randomly assigned to two study groups. In the therapy group, the patients underwent auriculotherapy with vaccaria seeds applied with patches in 6 ear points. In the control group, the patches were applied, without seeds, to the same ear points. After the extraction, the patients were asked to stimulate the ear points three times a day and whenever they felt pain. The patients were asked to keep a diary in which they assessed their pain by means of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for 8 days. Edema and trismus were assessed 1, 2, 3, and 8 days after surgery. RESULTS: The differences between the two groups were statistically significant at the 12-h control (auriculotherapy group (AG) VAS 5.5 [IQR 4.25-6.75], placebo group (PG) VAS 6 [IQR 5-8], p = 0.040), after 24 h (AG VAS 5 [IQR 4-6], PG VAS 6 [IQR 4.25-7], p = 0.024), after 2 days (AG VAS 4 [IQR 3-5], PG VAS 4.5 [IQR 4-6], p = 0.044), and after 3 days (AG VAS 3 [IQR 0-5], PG VAS 4 [IQR 3-5], p = 0.024). Throughout the observation period, the AG took a significantly lower number of painkillers than the PG (AG 6 [IQR 4.25-7]; PG 8 [IQR 8-9], p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the levels of edema and trismus between the two groups throughout the observation period. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the results of the present study, auriculotherapy can be considered as a cost-effective adjuvant pain reliever treatment in patients undergoing an extraction of the lower third molars.

Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on pain, edema, and trismus after surgical removal of impacted third molars: a split-mouth randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) stimulus inhibits the activity of nociceptive neurons of the central nervous system. Pain relief is achieved by increasing the pulse amplitude of TENS to induce a non-painful paranesthesia beneath the electrodes. This study aimed to assess the effect of TENS on acute pain, edema, and trismus after surgical removal of impacted third molars. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This randomized, double blind, split-mouth clinical trial was conducted on 37 patients with bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars. The angle and body of mandible at the site of surgery in one randomly selected quadrant underwent TENS immediately after surgery (50 Hz, 100-µs short pulse, 15 minutes for 6 days). The TENS stimulator device was used in off mode for the placebo quadrant. The pain score (primary outcome) was measured for 7 days postoperatively, and edema and trismus (secondary outcomes) were assessed at 2, 4 and 7 days, postoperatively. The results were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA using R software (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: The overall mean pain score was significantly lower in the TENS than the placebo group (P<0.05). The number of taken analgesics in the first 3 days was significantly lower in the TENS group (P<0.001). Postoperative edema in the TENS group was lower than the placebo group but only the difference was not statistically significant (P>.05). The inter-incisal distance, as an index to assess trismus, was not significantly different between the two group at day 2, but it was significantly higher in the TENS group after the second day (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TENS effectively decreased pain and trismus following impacted third molar surgery, and may be recommended as a non-pharmaceutical method to relieve postoperative symptoms.

Can Topical Agents (Arnica and Mucopolysaccharide Polysulfate) Reduce Postoperative Pain, Edema and Trismus Following Mandibular Third Molar Surgery?

BACKGROUND: Postoperative supplemental maintenance following mandibular third molar surgery remains an area of interest. PURPOSE: Topical agents can modulate inflammatory processes. The aim of the present study was to determine if topical application of arnica or mucopolysaccharide polysulfate (MPSP) reduces pain, trismus, and edema following the removal of impacted mandibular third molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single center randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted. The patients were randomized into three groups: the control group (standard therapy [ST]: antibiotic + nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs twice a day), the arnica group (arnica + ST), and the MPSP group (MPSP + ST). The patients' pain, trismus, and edema values were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, and 10. Sex, age, and operation time were also included. Analyses included descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, post hoc tests, and determinations of intraclass correlation coefficients. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: Sixty patients with a mean age of 26.98 ± 10.88 years were included in the study; 55% were females and 45% were males. The mean operation time was 23.8 ± 3.27 minutes. According to the visual analogue scale scores (in centimeter units), the arnica and MPSP groups felt less pain than the control group until day 5 (0.6 ± 0.88, 3.75 ± 1.16, 4.75 ± 1.29, and 1.05 ± 1.10, respectively, for the arnica group; 0.35 ± 0.59, 3.25 ± 1.62, 5.0 ± 1.65, and 1.50 ± 1.32 for the MPSP group; and 1.30 ± 1.17, 5.75 ± 1.37, 7.05 ± 1.10, and 3.15 ± 1.53 for the control group; P < .05). The trismus was lower on days 1, 3, and 5 in the arnica group (-8.05 ± 2.82, -12.15 ± 3.1, and -2.15 ± 1.81, respectively) than in the control group (-12 ± 3.82, -15.65 ± 4.81, and -4±2.81, respectively) (P < .05). The edema was lower on days 1 and 3 in the MPSP group (0.95 ± 2.2 and 1.75 ± 3.7, respectively) than in the control group (2.45 ± 0.9 and 3.6 ± 0.8, respectively) (P < .05). Arnica and MPSP had similar pain-relieving action, but arnica was more effective at reducing trismus, while MPSP was more effective at reducing edema. CONCLUSIONS: Topical application of arnica or MPSP may have a beneficial effect on relieving pain 5 days after surgery, but arnica was also effective at reducing trismus, while MPSP was also effective at reducing edema. Both arnica and MPSP reduced postoperative sequelae.

Photobiomodulation therapy in the treatment of radiotherapy-related trismus of the head and neck.

This study evaluated photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for treatment of trismus in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC). Sixteen patients, 10 men and 6 women, who had a mouth opening < 35 mm and underwent RT were included. The patients were evaluated daily before and after the PBMT application, measuring mouth opening and performing pain scores for the masticatory muscles using the visual analog scale (VAS). We used the infrared laser (~ 808 nm) extraorally, 0.1 W power, 3 J energy, 30 s (107 J/cm2) per point, applied to temporalis anterior, masseter muscles, and temporomandibular joints (TMJ). An intraoral point was made in the trigonoretromolar region towards the medial pterygoid muscle. The mean mouth opening of the patients increased by more than 7 mm throughout the treatment. The pain scores on the initial days showed an immediate reduction after PBMT on the ipsilateral side in the muscles and TMJ. Throughout PBMT applications, there was a significant reduction in pain scores in all muscles and the TMJ. The radiation dose of all patients was above 40 Gy, which is the threshold dose for the risk of developing trismus. SPSS software was used and adopted a confidence of 95%. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, Wilcoxon test, and Spearman correlation were performed. PBMT controls muscular pain and reduced mouth opening limitation in HNC during radiotherapy. Further studies are needed to evaluate the preventive capacity of PBMT protocols for RT trismus-related HNC.

Trismus Occurrence and Link With Radiotherapy Doses in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Treated With Chemoradiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) induces side-effects, including trismus, which impairs quality of life by causing difficulty to eat, speak, and maintain good oral hygiene, and by altering social life. Given the wide variation of reported trismus prevalence and as a first mandatory step for the preventive physiotherapy OPEN program (NCT03979924) this study evaluated trismus occurrence and its link with radiation doses. METHODS: Study population was non-larynx HNC patients with epidermoid carcinoma treated with CRT, with or without surgery. A physiotherapist measured maximal interincisal distance before, during and after CRT, at 10 weeks and 6 months. The proportion of patients with trismus (with a 95% confidence interval) was estimated. Irradiation doses were analyzed between patients with and without trismus using non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: We included 45 patients (77.8% male), median age 61 years (range 41-77). The proportion of trismus at baseline was 24.4%, 26.8% at 10 weeks and 37.1% at 6 months. During radiotherapy, it was 27.9% at week 3 and increased to 41.9% at week 6. Trismus occurrence at 10 weeks was higher when the radiation dose to the ipsilateral lateral pterygoid muscle was above the median value, that is, 36.8 grays. CONCLUSION: Trismus occurrence differed according to radiation dose and cancer location. These findings highlight the necessity of early preventive physiotherapy programs to reduce trismus occurrence. The second step, of the interventional multicenter OPEN program, is currently evaluating the impact of preventive physiotherapy and patient education on trismus in a sample of 175 patients.

Masticator space abscess following intramuscular stimulation.

A male in his 50s presented to the hospital with preauricular tenderness, trismus and dysphagia. He had intramuscular stimulation of his left temporomandibular joint region performed 4 days prior and described worsening pain and swelling since. A CT scan revealed an abscess involving the left masticator space. Incision and drainage of the abscess was performed, and the patient was discharged home on oral antibiotics 11 days later. This is the first report of masticatory space abscess following intramuscular stimulation of the temporomandibular joint area. Acupuncture and intramuscular stimulation are common complementary medicine therapies that are generally considered safe; however, adverse events such as deep neck space infection have been reported in the literature. Current regulation of training requirements and licensure for needling therapies is highly variable. Standardisation of training and practice guidelines may help mitigate the risk of adverse events related to needling therapies in the future.

Extraoral low-level laser therapy can decrease pain but not edema and trismus after surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the effect of extraoral 940 nm low-level diode laser on pain, edema, and trismus following surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This split-mouth, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated 25 patients with bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars. One side of the jaw was randomly assigned to the laser and the other side to the control group. The laser quadrant received 940 nm diode laser irradiation (0.5 W, 10 J/cm2, continuous-wave mode, 20 s) at three points in the master muscle in contact mode immediately after surgical extraction of third molar. The third molar in the placebo quadrant was extracted after 2 weeks by the same surgeon using the same standard approach. The pain score was measured at 2 and 7 days postoperatively using a visual analog scale (VAS). To assess trismus, the distance between the incisal edges of the upper and lower central incisors was measured in maximum opening. To assess edema, the distance between the tragus and chin point was measured before and immediately after surgery and after 2 and 7 days. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and Bonferroni test. RESULTS: The mean pain score in the first 7 days was significantly lower in the laser group (P < 0.05). Edema and trismus were the same in both groups (P > 0.05). Number of analgesics taken was significantly lower in the laser group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Single-session irradiation of 940 nm diode laser can effectively decrease pain following third molar extraction surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: IRCT20141209020258N91 on 29/12/2018.

Effect of preemptive photobiomodulation associated with nimesulide on the postsurgical outcomes, oxidative stress, and quality of life after third molar surgery: a randomized, split-mouth, controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare the effect of photobiomodulation with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and nimesulide on inflammatory parameters, biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation, and quality of life after lower third molar (L3M) surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized, two-factor, triple-blind, controlled, split-mouth clinical trial was performed with 40 volunteers who required bilateral L3M removal. Patients were allocated depending on the use or not of 100 mg nimesulide 1 hbefore surgery, as well as the use or not of LLLT in the preoperative period. RESULTS: Pain peaks occurred after 6 h (nimesulide-placebo [N-P] group) and 8 h (nimesulide group). In the N-P group, LLLT resulted in significantly lower mean pain scores than the subgroup without LLLT after 4 h (p = 0.009) and 6 h (p = 0.048). As for edema, a shorter distance between the mandibular angle and the outer canthus of the eyes after 7 days (p = 0.037) and a smaller cumulative effect (p = 0.036) were observed in the N-P group associated with LLLT. A direct effect between LLLT (p = 0.047) and a reduction in the mean scores of overall dissatisfaction with quality of life was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Preemptive use of nimesulide only delayed peak pain. LLLT reduced edema, trismus, and contributed to a better perception of quality of life. Nimesulide inhibits peroxidation by increasing GSH and stopping neutrophil migration. The benefit of the association of both strategies was not superior to the use of LLLT alone. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Translational study with impact on clinical-surgical protocols involving L3M surgery related to pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods.

Effect of Photobiomodulation Therapy on Reducing Acute Pain and Inflammation Following Surgical Removal of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars: A Randomized, Split-Mouth Clinical Trial.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on analgesic and inflammatory reduction with that of ibuprofen following surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars (IMTMs). Methods: A randomized, split-mouth clinical trial was performed on patients undergoing bilateral IMTM removal. PBMT [gallium aluminum arsenide (GaAlAs) laser] with specific parameters (wavelength of 810 nm, power of 0.5% ± 20% W, and energy density of 4 J/cm2) was applied randomly on one side of the mouth immediately after surgery and 1 and 2 days after surgery. The pain level was self-rated with a Likert scale at 2, 4, 6, 24, and 48 h postoperatively. Swelling and trismus were measured on the first and second day after surgery. Saliva was collected for measuring pre- and postoperative salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) concentrations with the sandwich ELISA test. Results: The study sample included 25 patients (average age of 22.88 years) with 50 bilateral symmetrical IMTMs. Pain level was highest at 2 h after surgery in both groups and gradually decreased over time (p < 0.01). Swelling and trismus at 48 h were higher than at 24 h (p < 0.01). Within the first 48 h postoperatively, pain level, swelling, and trismus were significantly lower in the PBMT group (p < 0.05). Postoperative sIgA was also significantly lower in the PBMT group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In short-term and specific conditions of this study, it was found that PBMT helped promote postoperative pain relief and anti-inflammation after surgical removal of IMTMs. The results suggested that there may be a link between a decrease in salivary sIgA levels and decrease in inflammatory processes after PBMT. Trial Registration No. NCT04280809 at ClinicalTrials.gov.

Manual Therapy for Patients With Radiation-Associated Trismus After Head and Neck Cancer.

Importance: Trismus is highly prevalent in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivorship. Current standards for trismus treatment include various stretch-based exercise protocols as a primary and single treatment modality with limited evidence regarding the role of manual therapy (MT) for this indication. Objective: To assess the effect size and associations of response to MT to increase oral opening in the setting of radiation-associated trismus. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective case series was conducted at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between 2016 and March 2020 (before COVID-19 interruption) and included 49 disease-free survivors of HNC who were referred for treatment of radiation-associated trismus. Intervention: Intraoral MT (including or excluding external head and neck) targeting the muscles of mastication. Main Outcomes and Measures: Maximum interincisal opening (MIO) before and after the initial MT session compared with serial MT sessions. Covariates were examined to determine the association with response to MT for trismus. Results: A total of 49 survivors of HNC (13 women [27%]; 24 [49%] 64 years or younger; 25 [51%] 65 years or older; mean [range] of 6.6 [0-33] years postradiotherapy were included, 9 [18.4%] of whom underwent a single MT session; 40 [81.6%] who underwent multiple sessions [mean, 6; median (range), 3 (2-48)]). The MIO improved after a single session by a mean (SD) of 4.1 (1.9) mm (0.45 effect size) and after serial MT sessions by a mean (SD) of 6.4 (4.8) mm with an effect size of 0.7. No covariates were found to be clinically meaningfully associated with MIO improvement following MT. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this case series study suggest that MT improved MIO with a medium to large effect size in survivors of HNC with radiation-associated trismus. The results suggest that the largest increase in oral opening was achieved after the initial treatment and although gains were more modest, oral opening continued to improve with serial treatment. Covariates were not associated with MT response, suggesting that patients with clinical features often considered treatment refractory (eg, advanced disease, multiple lines of oncology treatment, ≥5 years posttreatment) may benefit from treatment with MT. Manual therapy may be a beneficial frontline or adjuvant treatment when combined with traditional stretching therapy. A clinically meaningful increase in oral opening has the potential to improve swallow function, speech, pain, and quality of life.

Effects of low-level laser therapy on reducing pain, edema, and trismus after orthognathic surgery: a systematic review.

The purpose of this study was to systematically review the scientific evidence of the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the perception of pain, edema, and trismus after orthognathic surgery. The literature was searched in 11 databases (MedLine via PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, SciELO, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and LIVIVO, OpenGrey, OADT, and OpenThesis), without restriction of publication year or language. This search aimed to identify randomized clinical trials comparing low-level laser therapy and placebo for controlling pain, edema, and trismus after orthognathic surgeries. Two reviewers extracted the data and assessed the individual risk of bias of the eligible studies using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool (RoB, version 2.0). The initial search resulted in 808 articles, from which only five (total of 190 participants) were included in the qualitative synthesis. The studies were published from 2014 to 2020. Two presented a low risk of bias + in the mean mouth opening of all patients subjected to bimaxillary surgery who received LLLT. However, the other study found a significant difference in maximum mouth opening in the LLLT group at 14, 30, and 60 days after surgery. Based on limited evidence, LLLT was presented as an auxiliary tool for reducing pain and trismus after surgery. However, the reduction of edema is controversial due to the absence of measuring standardization.

Clinical evaluation of single and repeated sessions of photobiomodulation with two different therapeutic wavelengths for reducing postoperative sequelae after impacted mandibular third molar surgery: a randomized, double-blind clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of the number of photobiomodulation (PBM) sessions on the postoperative inflammatory process remain controversial. The current literature comparing single and repeated PBM sessions is limited. This study aimed to compare the effects of single and repeated PBM sessions, applied at two different therapeutic wavelengths within the infrared spectrum, on postoperative inflammatory response after impacted third molar tooth extraction. METHODOLOGY: This randomized, double-blind clinical study included 40 patients with bilateral impacted mandibular third molars (80 teeth). The patients were divided into two groups each including 20 subjects (40 teeth) to receive either single-session laser at 810 nm (20 teeth) and 940 nm (20 teeth) immediately after the surgery or repeated laser sessions at 810 nm (20 teeth) and 940 nm (20 teeth) (immediately after the surgery and on postoperative Day 1). Lasers at 940 nm (power density 0.5 Watt/cm2, energy density 4 J/cm2 for a time until the cumulative energy on the device screen reaches 50 J from 0 J, in continuous mode, spot size 2.8 cm2) and at 810 nm (power density 0.14 Watt/cm2, energy density 4 J/cm2, for 30 seconds, in continuous mode, spot size 2.1 cm2) were applied intra- and extra-orally. Pain, swelling, and trismus were evaluated postoperatively. RESULTS: No significant differences were determined between the groups on the evaluated parameters (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Within the study limitations, in PBM, the effects of 810 nm and 940 nm and those of single and repeated applications were similar regarding pain, swelling and trismus. Immediate postoperative PBM could be preferred to repeated applications performed by point application within a 24-hour period.

Use of low-level laser therapy to reduce postoperative pain, edema, and trismus following third molar surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This Systematic Review and Meta-analysis was conducted with the following PICOS question: patients undergoing third molar surgery (P) can benefit from low-intensity laser therapy (I) as compared to other postoperative management (C) to reduce pain, edema, and trismus (O), evaluated in previous randomized clinical trials (S). Databases used were PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, screening for studies published between 2015 and 2020. The meta-analysis was based on the standardized mean difference (SMD), under a 95% confidence interval (CI). 246 studies were initially included, and after the screening of data, 10 studies were selected for the final sample. The qualitative analysis resulted in favorable results for pain and edema management in most studies, whereas trismus remained controversial. Meta-analysis resulted in (SMD, -0.53; 95% CI, -0.82,-0.24), (SMD, -0.60; 95% CI, -0.81,-0.39), and (SMD, -0.62; 95% CI, -2.63, 1.39) for pain, edema, and trismus, respectively, indicating statistical success on pain and edema reduction, but not for trismus. LLLT can act on reducing postoperative pain and edema following third molar surgery, whereas, trismus remains not significantly changed.

Intraoral management of odontogenic infection associated with severe trismus under local anesthesia.

Trismus is defined as a tonic contraction of the muscles of mastication. It can also refer to limited mouth opening of any cause. Trismus is a classical symptom of masticatory space infections and it can be a sign of an infection in the anterior compartment of lateral pharyngeal space. Common causes in clinical practice followed by trismus are odontogenic infection which can be periodontal or pericoronal. This article will present a clinical report on intraoral management of mandibular odontogenic infection accompanied by severe trismus under local anesthesia using modified Akinosi technique in an outpatient environment. Treatment and postoperative period were routine. This kind of approach provides access to the infection at an early stage without general anesthesia, it shortens the hospital treatment and it enables faster recovery. KEY WORDS: Local Anesthesia, Odontogenic infection, Trismus.

Interventions for Trismus in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Current treatment for head and neck cancers (HNCs) have led to an improved survival. However, the sequelae of cancer treatment often result in trismus, or reduced mouth opening. The purpose of this report is to identify interventional studies for trismus management in HNC patients. METHODS: A search of PubMed, Embase, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Cochrane Library was conducted in March 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving interventions for trismus for head and neck cancer within 10 years. Intervention could involve the use of an exercise regime, jaw rehabilitation device, technological device, medication or massage therapy. The primary outcome was the measurement of mouth opening. RESULTS: Eleven RCTs involving a total of 685 patients with HNC were included. Six RCTs evaluated the effectiveness of a jaw mobilization device with exercises; there was no significant benefit of an exercise regime with a jaw mobilization device either initiated before, during or after treatment compared to no exercise. Two RCTs compared 2 intervention groups that involved exercises only, with 1 study assessing the benefit of weekly supervised physical therapy with gum chewing and another evaluating the benefit of immediate (1-2 days) versus delayed (7-10 days) initiation of exercise post-surgery; there was no significant difference between groups in either study. One RCT that recruited only patients with trismus demonstrated that an exercise regime in combination with low-level laser therapy or low-intensity ultrasound had superior results in mouth opening measurements compared to exercise alone. Two RCTs compared intervention groups with and without follow-up reminders; both studies showed a significant improvement in mouth opening measurements in groups with follow-up reminders. CONCLUSION: This systematic review did not convey a clear consensus as to optimal intervention for trismus in HNC patients. A variety of exercise regimens and jaw rehabilitation devices appear to have comparable effectiveness. However, efforts focused on increasing adherence to a particular intervention protocol may positively impact mouth opening measures in head and neck cancer patients. Also, low-level laser therapy and low-intensity ultrasound coupled with exercise may be beneficial for patients with trismus.

Low-level laser therapy using laser diode 940 nm in the mandibular impacted third molar surgery: double-blind randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on pain mitigation following the third molar surgery is still controversial. The absence of a standard method for using laser among the studies is related to the types of sample selection, sample size, control, and LLLT parameters, which make pain mitigation following surgery more controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of LLLT on reducing pain, swelling, and trismus following the mandibular impacted third molar surgery. METHODS: This study was performed on 25 healthy subjects. After the surgery, amoxicillin 500 mg was prescribed every 8 h for a 7-day period besides oral Ibuprofen (Gelofen) 400 mg every 12 h for a 3-day period. The intraoral Laser diode 940 nm was applied immediately after suture on the tested side, while on the placebo side, a fiber tip was used with no laser radiation following surgery. Eventually, the pain score was evaluated by VAS index from the 1st to the 7th-day post-surgery and then analyzed by SPSS 24. RESULTS: The results indicate that the mean swelling and trismus before, during, 2 days after, and 7 days after the intervention did not differ significantly between the two studied groups. However, the results show that on the sixth and seventh days, the pain was significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that although the pain, swelling, and trismus following surgery were lower on the radiated side, only pain was found to be significant on the radiated side (p < 0.05). The registration number of the clinical trial in a Primary Registry in the WHO Registry Network is IRCT20141209020258N110 and the date of retrospective registration is 04/05/2019. The related URL is https://www.irct.ir/trial/36321 .