J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.
2020 Apr;46(2):108-115. 10.5125/jkaoms.2020.46.2.108.
Effects of kinesiology tape after enucleation of mandibular dentigerous cysts
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea
- KMID: 2500666
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2020.46.2.108
Abstract
Objectives
Kinesiology tape (KT) creates a pulling force on the skin, thus improving blood and lymph flow by alleviating hemorrhage and congestion of lymphatic fluid. The authors hypothesized that the use of KT could be beneficial for the management of complications after head and neck surgery and designed this study to evaluate the effects of KT on swelling, pain, and trismus after enucleation of mandibular dentigerous cysts with third molar extraction.
Materials and Methods
Forty patients who underwent enucleation of a dentigerous cyst with extraction of the mandibular third molar were selected. The patients were randomized into two groups (n=20 each): a KT group, where KT was applied after surgery in addition to basic postoperative care, and a control group, where patients received basic postoperative care without KT application. Swelling, pain, and trismus were evaluated before surgery (T0) and on postoperative days 1 (T1), 2 (T2), and 3 (T3). Cyst volume, gauze weight for assessing bleeding, and operation time were recorded.
Results
There was a significant difference between the two groups in the change in swelling up to T1 and the change in swelling between T1 and T2. The maximum swelling in the KT group was significantly less than that in the No-KT group and maximum swelling appeared faster in the KT group than in the No-KT group. Both groups showed a mild pain response but there was no significant difference between the two groups. There was no significant difference on interincisal distance change between the two groups. There were no correlations between cyst volume, bleeding, operation time, and maximum swelling.
Conclusion
KT can effectively manage facial swelling after oral and maxillofacial surgeries such as cyst enucleation and third molar extraction, thus improving postoperative patient satisfaction levels and quality of life.
