UTILIZZO DI UNA METODICA INNOVATIVA E NON INVASIVA PER CONTROLLARE LA SINTOMATOLOGIA INFIAMMATORIA DURANTE IL DECORSO POST OPERATORIO IN INTERVENTI DI IMPLANTOLOGIA

CONTROL OF POSTOPERATIVE DISCOMFORT BY LOCAL PHYSICAL THERAPY AFTER ORAL SURGERY ABSTRACT PURPOSE Surgical treatment in implantology and dental surgery is a common procedure that often accompanied by pain, swelling and trismus. Many patients in their postoperative complain situations of disconfot and reduced of quality of life. The aim of the present study was to investigate how controll postoperative morbidities, whether the local application of elastic therapeutic tape (KT). MATERIALS ANS METHODS To adress the research purpose, the investigators designed and implemented a multicentric study with parallel-group. Patients were prospectively assigned for treatment of unilateral and bilateral implant placement and allocated to receive treatment with or without KT application according to joint patient and clinicial decision. KT was applied directly by the same Physical Terapist after surgery and maintained for 3 days postoperatively. Facial swelling was quantified using the Laskin Method to misure inflammation, through three misurament pre surgery, post surgery after 24 hours, and 48 hours (DHS, DHC, DV,WHI). Pain score was assessed using a 0-10 level Visual Analog Scale, and pain drawing. Mouth opening was measured, with the Laskin method using a millimeter ruler. In addition, all patients were asked to evaluate overall satisfaction and swelling and the effect of the tape on movement and comfort after KT application, between a quality of life scale evaluation. Inclusion criteria were: unilateral elevation of maxillary sinus, multiple implant placement, simple tooth extractions, unilateral or bilateral impacted upper and lower third molars extraction. Exclusion criteria were: patients younger than 18 years, pregnant or lactating women, sensitivities to tape, unwillingness to shave facial hair, known allergies to medication used in the study. Patients developing unforeseen inflammatory reactions after surgery. RESULTS 50 patients were investigate but only 30 patients were included in the study respected on inclusion criteria (17 female and 13 male; mean age KT, 57.7 yr; standard deviation KT, 12.4 yr; mean age no KT, 56.7 yr; standard deviation no KT, 12.1 yr). Application of KT after surgery for implantology had a statistically significant influence on tissue reaction and swelling, decreasing the incidence of swelling and turgidity by more than 30% inthe first 2-3 days post surgery. Although KT had significant influence on reducing pain control, patients perceived significantly lower morbidity. CONCLUSION The present results showed that the application of KT after implantology susrgery is a promising, simple, a-traumatic, and economical approach for managing postoperative swelling and pain that is free from systemic adverse reactions, for improving quality of life of our patients. Keywords: Kinesio tape, implantology, dental surgery, pain, swelling, morbidity