Effectiveness of mHealth intervention for trismus exercise in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing proton and heavy ion therapy: a randomized control trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of a mobile health intervention based on social cognitive theory with standard care on maximal mouth opening, exercise compliance, and self-efficacy in patients receiving proton and heavy ion therapy for head and neck cancer. METHODS: This open-label, parallel-group, randomized, superiority trial involved a self-developed "Health Enjoy System" intervention. We assessed maximal mouth opening, exercise compliance, and self-efficacy at baseline (T0), post-treatment (T1), and at 1 month (T2) and 3 months (T3) after radiotherapy. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze differences between the groups over time, with results reported as P values and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The study included 44 participants. At T3, the intervention group showed a 6 mm greater increase in maximal interincisal opening than the control group (mean difference = 6.0, 95% CI = 2.4 to 9.5, P = 0.001). There was also a significant difference in exercise compliance between the groups (mean difference = 31.7, 95% CI = 4.6 to 58.8, P = 0.022). However, no significant difference in self-efficacy was found between the groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that an mHealth intervention incorporating behavior change theory could effectively enhance or maintain maximal mouth opening in patients undergoing proton and heavy ion therapy for head and neck cancer in China. This approach provides valuable support during and after treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR: ChiCTR2300067550. Registered 11 Jan 2023.

Transoral Ultrasound-Guided Core Biopsy for Minimally Invasive Sampling of Hard-to-Access Oropharyngeal Cancers.

Pathological diagnosis plays a pivotal role in risk classification and personalized treatment planning for patients with oropharyngeal cancers. However, challenges arise in cases involving trismus and tumors with submucosal spread, hindering traditional endoscopic biopsies and open incisional biopsies. In this study, we examined the clinical and pathological data of patients with trismus who underwent transoral ultrasound-guided core biopsy (USCB) for their oropharyngeal tumors, comparing this method with existing diagnostic approaches. Seventeen patients presenting with oropharyngeal tumors and trismus underwent transoral USCB for diagnosis. Of these, 14 patients were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, while the remaining 3 were diagnosed with lymphoma. The procedure resulted in minimal wound size and effective bleeding control through compression, without encountering any complications. In conclusion, transoral USCB emerges as a precise diagnostic tool for patients with oropharyngeal tumors and trismus, offering a valuable adjunct to conventional open and endoscopic biopsies.

Systematic review of adherence to swallow and trismus exercises during radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

Understanding the barriers and facilitators for prophylactic swallowing and trismus exercises for patients undergoing radiation to the head and neck may help exercise adherence. The analysis reviews all published reports of exercise adherence with a critical appraisal following PRISMA guidelines. A total of 137 potential papers were identified; 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. The most commonly reported facilitators for swallowing and trismus exercises were regular clinician contact and online resources to reinforce instructions, set goals, and manage radiation toxicities. Social support and perceived benefit from exercises were also reported to be of help. The most common barriers to exercise were radiation toxicities, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed with information, and not understanding the reason for the exercises. Understanding facilitators and barriers to adherence is critical when designing exercise interventions for patients undergoing radiation for head and neck cancer.

Medial Pterygoid Abscess Masquerading as a Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: A Case Report.

A patient presenting with a history of restricted mouth opening and deflection of the mandible after a prolonged dental procedure raises a suspicion of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) due to its estimated high prevalence of 29%. Muscle relaxants and routine active physiotherapy established normal range of movement and pain reduction was achieved through TENS therapy and analgesics. However, the non-subsidence of deflection prompted an initial suspicion of TMD which was overturned by MRI. The MRI evaluation revealed left side medial pterygoid abscess. It is imperative to understand that despite strong history and relevant clinical features, for the definitive diagnosis radiographic evaluation is highly contributory. Misdiagnosing TMD due to its similar presentation can have significant implications for the patient's well-being and quality of life. The clinical features of medial pterygoid abscess including restricted mouth opening and pain can be similar to that of TMD. These abscesses are most commonly caused by odontogenic infections but can also occur as a result of septic inferior alveolar nerve block techniques. Limited literature reports of pterygoid space abscess have been described, but intramuscular and medial pterygoid abscess is an absolute rarity. Causal relationship to septic inferior alveolar nerve block further makes this case report an interesting read.

Throat packing via nasopharyngeal airway for severe trismus cases requiring surgical intervention under general anesthesia: A simplified and innovative approach.

Throat packing is essential in oral and maxillofacial surgeries to prevent blood and tissue debris aspiration, reducing postoperative complications. Traditional oral route methods are often inadequate, especially in severe trismus cases like Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF), TMJ Ankylosis, and post-traumatic conditions due to limited mouth opening. This study introduces a novel technique using a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) for throat packing. The method involves inserting a hemostatic dressing through an NPA, ensuring minimal invasiveness and effective airway management. Proper positioning is confirmed with a laryngoscope or fiberoptic scope, and the dressing is secured to prevent dislodgement. This technique is easy, reproducible, and less injurious compared to traditional methods. At our center, throat packing via NPA was performed on 35 patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia, resulting in high satisfaction and no reported complications.

Trismus as the Initial Presentation of Anti-Hu Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndrome.

A 73-year-old man presented with subacute trismus and pancerebellar dysfunction. Brain imaging and routine blood test results were unremarkable. Chest computed tomography revealed an indistinctly enhancing 4.7 × 2.5 × 1.8-cm3 pulmonary mass in the right upper lung, with enlarged right paratracheal and hilar lymph nodes. Biopsy of the right supraclavicular lymph node confirmed metastatic carcinoma, with differential diagnoses of small cell carcinoma and poorly differentiated carcinoma, indicating lung cancer as the primary source. Paraneoplastic immunohistochemistry screening revealed anti-Hu antibodies in the serum at a titer of 1:7680 (normal range <1:240) and in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at a titer of 1:256 (normal range <1:2). The line blot method yielded positive results for anti-Zic4 antibodies in serum, with a titer of >1:10 (normal range <1:10), whereas CSF anti-Zic4 was negative (normal range <1:2). The patient developed non-responsive hospital-acquired pneumonia and respiratory failure, and discharged himself against medical advice. This rare case indicates that trismus can be an initial manifestation of anti-Hu paraneoplastic neurological syndrome, and emphasizes the importance of clinical awareness.

Oral management for a patient with trismus accompanied by Isaacs' syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Isaacs' syndrome, also known as neuromyotonia or peripheral nerve hyperexcitability, is a rare disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system. Clinical findings include cramps, fasciculations, and myokymia; however, there are few reports of dental treatment for trismus. CASE PRESENTATION: A patient with trismus due to Isaacs' syndrome experienced swelling and pain in the gingiva surrounding his right lower first molar. He was diagnosed with chronic apical periodontitis by a dentist near his home. However, the patient was informed that dental treatment and medication could not be administered because of the presence of Isaacs' syndrome, and he visited the Geriatric Dentistry and Perioperative Oral Care Center at Kyushu University Hospital 2 weeks later. The patient's painless mouth-opening distance (between incisors) was 20 mm at that time, and medication, including amoxicillin capsules and acetaminophen, was administered because the dental extraction forceps or endodontic instruments were difficult to insert into the oral cavity for treatment. Two months after his initial visit, the patient visited us complaining of pain in the same area. However, he had recently undergone plasmapheresis treatment in neurology to alleviate limited mouth opening and systemic myalgia, resulting in a pain-free mouth-opening distance of approximately 35 mm. During this temporary period in which he had no restriction in mouth opening, we performed tooth extraction and bridge restoration on the mandibular right first molar and created an oral appliance for sleep bruxism. CONCLUSIONS: Plasmapheresis therapy transiently reduced trismus, rendering dental interventions feasible, albeit temporarily. This case report underscores the importance of close collaboration between neurologists and dentists who encounter similar cases while furnishing valuable insights to inform dental treatment planning.

Dysphagia and Trismus After Tooth Extraction : Clinical Conondrum.

Clinicians should consider disorders of masticatory muscle including lateral pterygoid muscle as a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with dysphagia and trismus after tooth extraction.

Assessment of Electromyographic Changes in Masseter and Temporalis Muscles for Patients Undergoing Lower Third Molar Surgery: A Prospective Study.

Introduction Lower third molar impaction surgery is one of the most common minor oral surgical procedures done. Trismus has been one of the most common and disturbing postoperative sequelae for patients. The study aimed to evaluate the electrical activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles after mandibular third molar surgery. Materials and methods The research was conducted at Saveetha Dental College and hospitals in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The study consisted of 20 individuals. The EMG (electromyography) activities of both masseter muscles in each patient were measured before the tooth extraction surgery, postoperatively after 72 hours, and after seven days. The inter-incisal distance was also measured at similar follow-up intervals. Data were analyzed using IBM Corp. Released 2015. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp., with p-values less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for the comparison of electrical activity between masseter and temporalis on both the operated and non-operated sides during preoperative, postoperative, 72-hour, and postoperative seven-day periods. Results It has been found that the electrical activity of the temporalis is higher than that of the masseter muscle measured at all the intervals of the follow-up period, with statistically significant values (p=0.001). It was noted that all the patients have reduced mouth opening when compared with preoperative (mean mouth opening = 45.6 mm), postoperative 72 hours (mean mouth opening = 31.2 mm), and postoperative seven days (mean mouth opening =35.6 mm). When a comparison was done between temporalis and masseter, the masseter took longer to return to pre-operative electrical activity, which might also imply that for prolonged trismus seen in patients after lower third molar surgery, it is the masseter that is affected and needs recovery for trismus to be resolved.  Conclusion  Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that there was a reduction in the electrical activity of both the masseter and temporalis post-third molar impaction surgery. It was also found that there was a reduction in mouth opening in patients who underwent lower third molar extraction surgery. Masseter muscle took longer to return to its preoperative electrical activity than temporalis muscle, implying that targeted therapies to accelerate the healing of masseter muscle may prevent prolonged trismus in patients who undergo lower third molar impaction surgery.

Boswellia serrata Enhances Passive Range-of-Motion Exercises in Radiation-Induced Trismus: A Case Report.

Trismus is a common, extremely detrimental side effect following definitive radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies. Existing therapeutic modalities (active and passive range-of-motion exercises and systemic therapies) offer only modest, slow improvements in jaw opening; thus, there is a need for additional treatment options. Boswellia serrata (BS) ("Indian frankincense") is a tree native to West Asia and North Africa that produces resin-containing "boswellic" acids. These have been shown to have in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects and have previously been found to be an effective treatment for asthma, colitis, arthritis, and post-radiation edema. Herein we report the case of a 54-year-old male with severe post-radiation trismus who experienced a dramatic resolution with BS/Therabite® combination therapy. His trismus improved from 6 mm to 45 mm over 10 weeks (0.46 mm/day), far exceeding previous rates of improvement documented in the literature. There were no ill effects. Given the dearth of effective treatments for post-radiation trismus, BS is a promising agent deserving of further study.

Trismus caused by migration of orthodontic archwire into the infratemporal fossa: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Soft tissue injuries are known complications of orthodontic treatment. Most of the injuries are mild, but severe complications can arise from deeper penetration or dislodgement of brackets and other foreign bodies into the surrounding tissues of the oropharynx and infratemporal fossa. PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient, accompanied by his parents, presented to the Children's Emergency Department with the concern of gradual limitation of mouth opening and eventual trismus, which occurred over a span of 2 weeks. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The patient presented with trismus and slight discomfort at the left cheek region. He reported a history of gradual limitation to his mouth opening 2 weeks prior. He was wearing upper and lower fixed orthodontic appliances and the left distal end of the maxillary archwire was found to have migrated into the left infratemporal fossa. PRIMARY DIAGNOSES: Left medial pterygoid muscle inflammation, or bleeding and haematoma formation, or infection within the infratemporal region. INTERVENTIONS: The maxillary archwire was removed in the Children's Emergency Department and a computed tomography (CT) scan performed subsequently confirmed the diagnosis of left medial pterygoid muscle inflammation. The patient was started on an intravenous (IV) antibiotic and a 2-day course of IV dexamethasone to reduce the muscle inflammation. OUTCOME: By the second day, the patient was able to achieve a mouth opening of 6 mm, and by the second week, the mouth opening had returned to normal. CONCLUSION: The potential risk of soft tissue injury and complications from orthodontic treatment is generally mild and limited. Soft tissue injuries can be avoided with careful management by the operator with the proper precautions taken. Clinicians should be familiar with the surrounding soft tissue anatomy and be aware of the potential for more severe complications and provide management or referral to the appropriate specialty accordingly.

Exercise adherence for patients with trismus after head and neck cancer treatment.

BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancer treatment often leads to trismus, a condition characterized by limited mouth opening. Exercise-based therapy is the most common intervention but there are no clear guidelines as to the optimal exercise regimen. Restorabite™ is a portable and force-regulated trismus device designed to enhance exercise adherence. This study explores the adherence to exercises using Restorabite™ in head and neck cancer patients with trismus and identifies facilitators and barriers to exercise therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mixed-methods, prospective cohort study undertaken at a quaternary oncology hospital, in Sydney Australia involving participants diagnosed with head and neck cancer diagnosed with trismus (maximal incisal opening under 35 mm). Patients underwent a 10-week individualized trismus program using Restorabite™ with weekly speech pathology reviews. Exercise adherence was tracked through categorized descriptors. Data were collected prospectively at baseline, during 10 weeks of therapy with Restorabite™, and at 6- and 12-month post-trismus exercise. Participants described facilitators of trismus therapy, and barriers to completing the prescribed exercises. Clinical documentation of these responses was then analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: One-hundred and thirty-five participants were recruited. During the intervention 69% (n = 93) exercised as recommended, 24% (n = 32) exercised less, and 7% (n = 10) exercised more than recommended. At 6 months post-intervention, 55.5% (n = 75) exercised as recommended, 38.5% (n = 52) exercised less, and 4% (n = 6) exercised more. At 12 months, 36% (n = 49) exercised as recommended, 48% (n = 62) exercised less, and 11% (n = 15) exercised more. MIO increased from a mean of 18.6 mm at baseline, to 30.1 mm at the end of the 10-week intervention. This was maintained at 6 and 12 months (31.7 and 32.1 mm, respectively). Adherence to the exercise program was associated with greater improvement in maximum interincisal opening (p < 0.001). Facilitators of adherence included intrinsic motivation, device portability, perceived functional change, and external support tools. Barriers included cancer treatment toxicities, competing priorities, and health challenges. Positive outcomes included functional improvements, while negative outcomes included increased pain. CONCLUSIONS: Seventy-six percent of patients prescribed Restorabite™ performed trismus exercises at or more than the recommended frequency. Facilitators and barriers identified provide insights into factors influencing adherence. Future research should involve comparative studies that compare the adherence and effectiveness of different exercise programs.

Restorabite™: Phase II trial of jaw stretching exercises using a novel device for patients with trismus following head and neck cancer.

Patients treated for oral cancer, may experience restricted mouth opening (trismus). Barriers such as cost have limited the utilization of traditional jaw stretching devices, and consequently, patients experience problems with swallowing, oral care, communication, and cancer surveillance. The safety and efficacy of Restorabite™, a new device designed to overcome these barriers, is evaluated prospectively over 12 months. This phase II investigator-led trial included patients with chronic trismus underwent 10-weeks of trismus therapy using Restorabite™. Safety, adherence, changes in mouth opening, and patient-reported outcomes are presented. 114/120 participants with trismus completed the intervention, and 104 had their progress monitored for 12 months. Thirteen participants withdrew due to tumour recurrence. At the completion of the intervention, mouth opening improved by 10.4 mm (p < .001). This increased to 13.7 mm at 12 months (p < .001). Patient reported outcome all significantly improved and 47 participants were no longer classified as having trismus. There were no serious treatment related adverse events. In patients with trismus following head and neck cancer treatment, a 10-week programme of jaw stretching exercises using Restorbite™ safely improves mouth opening and associated quality of life outcomes with high adherence and the benefits are maintained for 12-months.

Postradiation trismus in head and neck cancer survivors: a qualitative study of effects on life, rehabilitation, used coping strategies and support from the healthcare system.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the experiences of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors with postradiation trismus, specifically how oncological treatment affected their lives, rehabilitation, use of coping strategies, and healthcare experiences. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive approach was used and semi-structured interviews of 10 HNC survivors with postradiation trismus were conducted 6-30 months after completing oncological treatment. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The analysis of interviews yielded four main categories: Bodily symptoms, Effects on life, Support from the healthcare system, and Strategies to handle life and symptoms. Participants reported ongoing problems with xerostomia, dysgeusia, eating, and limited physical fitness. Pain related to trismus was not a major issue in this cohort. Participants expressed limitations in their social lives due to their eating difficulties, yet a sense of thankfulness for life and overall satisfaction with the healthcare they received. Psychological and practical coping strategies developed by the participants were also revealed. CONCLUSION: The results highlight areas of unmet need among HNC survivors that healthcare providers can target by establishing multi-professional teams dedicated to individualizing post-cancer rehabilitation care.

Efficacy of Hydrocortisone, Povidone-Iodine, and Normal Saline as an Irrigating Solution During Surgical Removal of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background The surgical removal of mandibular third molars is one of the most common procedures in dentistry. Researchers have extensively studied the treatment of postoperative sequelae such as pain, edema, trismus, and alveolar osteitis throughout the past six decades. Many approaches have been used to address clinical difficulties after third molar surgery, including various flap designs and irrigating solutions. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of three irrigating solutions, hydrocortisone, povidone-iodine, and normal saline, on pain, trismus, and edema following surgical removal of the impacted mandibular third molar. Methodology The study involved 105 participants who required surgical extraction of mandibular third molars. The patients' ages ranged from 18 to 40 years, and they fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Using a simple random sampling technique, they were divided into three groups (group 1: hydrocortisone, group 2: povidone-iodine, group 3: normal saline). The parameters evaluated were edema, pain, and trismus on the second and seventh postoperative days. All data were input into Microsoft Excel (Microsoft® Corp., Redmond, USA) worksheets and analyzed using Stata 17.0 (StataCorp LLC, College Station, USA). The visual analog scale (VAS) score was used to measure postoperative pain, and postoperative swelling was measured using linear measurements from four fixed anatomical points and compared to preoperative values. To assess trismus, the inter-incisal distance was measured in millimeters with a caliper. A p-value of <0.01 was considered statistically significant. Results The mean VAS score for pain in group 1 was lower than the other two groups. The effect of group 1 was significant on the second postoperative day but insignificant on the seventh postoperative day for swelling. The effect of all three groups on trismus was significant on the second and seventh days. Conclusions Hydrocortisone as an irrigating solution showed promising results in managing postoperative swelling in the first 48 hours, but its effect gradually declined by the seventh postoperative day. Additionally, it was effective in controlling postoperative pain and trismus. This suggests that utilizing hydrocortisone as an irrigating solution, compared to povidone-iodine, has been proven to be a significantly effective option in reducing postoperative pain, edema, and trismus resulting from the surgical removal of impacted teeth.

Comparative assessment of the efficacy of an intralesional injection of placentrex, hyaluronidase and dexamethasone in the management of oral submucous fibrosis: A randomized controlled trial.

The prevalent symptoms of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) are a burning sensation and trismus. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of placentrex, hyaluronidase and dexamethasone, and their combination in the treatment of OSMF. For this purpose, 160 patients with OSMF were divided into four groups (each with 40 patients at a 1:1:1:1 allocation ratio). The patients in group 1 (control) received only oral supplements, along with regular mouth-opening exercises; patients in group 2 received an injection of placental extract; patients in group 3 were injected with hyaluronidase and dexamethasone; and patients in group 4 received a combination of injections from groups 2 and 3. The injections were administered once weekly for 12 weeks and patients were followed-up for 12 months. The data of the patients (mouth opening ability and a burning sensation) were analyzed using ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test. The maximum increase in mouth opening (7.30±0.80 mm) was noted in group 4, and the lease increase was observed in the control group (0.37±0.16 mm), from baseline levels to the end of the 12th week. The maximum relapse in mouth opening of 1.62±0.45 mm was noted in group 2, and a minimum relapse of 0.20±0.08 mm was noted in group 4. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that the intralesional injection of a combination of the three drugs (placentrex, hyaluronidase and dexamethasone) in addition to the use of oral supplements and mouth opening exercises has a high level of efficacy in improving trismus and burning sensation in patients with OSMF.

Developing and Validating an Intelligent Mouth-Opening Training Device: A New Solution for Restricted Mouth Opening.

Restricted mouth opening (trismus) is one of the most common complications following head and neck cancer treatment. Early initiation of mouth-opening exercises is crucial for preventing or minimizing trismus. Current methods for these exercises predominantly involve finger exercises and traditional mouth-opening training devices. Our research group successfully designed an intelligent mouth-opening training device (IMOTD) that addresses the limitations of traditional home training methods, including the inability to quantify mouth-opening exercises, a lack of guided training resulting in temporomandibular joint injuries, and poor training continuity leading to poor training effect. For this device, an interactive remote guidance mode is introduced to address these concerns. The device was designed with a focus on the safety and effectiveness of medical devices. The accuracy of the training data was verified through piezoelectric sensor calibration. Through mechanical analysis, the stress points of the structure were identified, and finite element analysis of the connecting rod and the occlusal plate connection structure was conducted to ensure the safety of the device. The findings support the effectiveness of the intelligent device in rehabilitation through preclinical experiments when compared with conventional mouth-opening training methods. This intelligent device facilitates the quantification and visualization of mouth-opening training indicators, ensuring both the comfort and safety of the training process. Additionally, it enables remote supervision and guidance for patient training, thereby enhancing patient compliance and ultimately ensuring the effectiveness of mouth-opening exercises.

Transoral Robotic Surgery for Oral Cancer: Evaluating Surgical Outcomes in the Presence of Trismus.

Trismus, defined as restricted mouth opening, is a common complication among Taiwanese oral cancer patients, especially those who chew betel quid. However, the impact of trismus on survival outcomes in oral cancer patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations between trismus and surgical outcomes in Taiwanese male oral cancer patients treated with TORS. We conducted a retrospective propensity score-matched cohort study of 40 Taiwanese male oral cancer patients who underwent TORS between 2016 and 2022. Overall, 20 patients with trismus were matched to 20 patients without trismus. TORS achieved similar operative and short-term clinical outcomes in trismus patients to non-trismus patients. There were no significant differences between groups in operation time, blood loss, margin status, flap reconstruction rates, duration of nasogastric tube feeding, or length of hospital stay. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed to compare overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) between the two groups. The overall survival (OS) rate at three years was significantly lower in patients with trismus than those without trismus (27.1% vs. 95.0%, log-rank p = 0.02). However, there was no significant difference in disease-free survival (DFS) rates between the trismus and non-trismus groups (36.6% vs. 62.7%, log-rank p = 0.87). After adjusting for confounders, trismus was independently associated with a 13-fold increased risk of mortality (adjusted HR 12.87, 95% CI 1.55-106.50, p < 0.05). In conclusion, trismus appears to be an independent prognostic factor for reduced long-term OS in Taiwanese male oral cancer patients undergoing TORS, though short-term surgical outcomes were non-inferior in the trismus patients. Further research is warranted to clarify the mechanisms linking trismus and survival in this population.

A translation and validation of the French version of the Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire 2 (F-GTQ-2).

BACKGROUND: Limitation of mouth opening, widely known as trismus, is a major symptom altering quality of life in individuals presenting from temporomandibular joint disorder or head and neck cancer. A French-language instrument addressing jaw opening limitation following treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is lacking. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to translate and validate the Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire-2 (GTQ-2) into French. METHODS: A French translation of the GTQ-2 was performed according to established international guidelines, leading to the French-GTQ-2 (F-GTQ-2). The validation study included 154 participants with trismus (minimum interincisal opening of ≤35 mm) following treatment for TMD or HNC and 149 age-matched participants without trismus. All participants completed the F-GTQ-2 and participants with trismus completed additional health-related quality of life questionnaires to allow for analysis of convergent validity. RESULTS: The F-GTQ-2 demonstrated retained psychometric properties with Cronbach's alpha values above 0.70 for the domains, jaw-related problems, eating limitations, facial pain and somewhat lower for muscular tension (0.60). Mainly moderate correlations were found when comparing the F-GTQ-2 to other instruments, which was in line with the pre-specified hypotheses, indicating satisfactory convergent validity. Discriminant validity was found with statistically significant differences in all domains of the F-GTQ-2 between trismus and non-trismus participants. CONCLUSION: The F-GTQ-2 can be considered a reliable and valid instrument to assess jaw-related difficulties in individuals with trismus due to HNC or TMD.

PREEMPTIVE INTRAVENOUS IBUPROFEN AND LOCAL KETAMINE IMPROVE POSTOPERATIVE ANALGESIA FOLLOWING THIRD MOLAR SURGERY: A DOUBLE-BLIND, RANDOMIZED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED CLINICAL STUDY.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of preemptive ibuprofen, local ketamine, and their combination in managing postoperative pain and trismus following third molar surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred patients were randomly divided into 4 groups. The Intrafen Group had their impacted third molars surgically removed under local anesthesia after receiving intravenous (IV) ibuprofen for preemptive effect. The Ketamine Group received an IV placebo before the surgery, and the extraction process was completed with a local anesthetic-ketamine combination. The Combined Group received preemptive IV ibuprofen before the procedure, and the surgery was performed with a local anesthetic-ketamine combination. The Control Group received an IV placebo before the procedure and then had their impacted third molars removed under local anesthesia. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) values, corresponding to the patients' pain levels at the 2nd and 12th postoperative hours and the total amount of analgesic dose used in the first 24 hours, were recorded, and evaluated. The maximum mouth opening of the patients was measured immediately before the procedure, and on the second and seventh postoperative days. The level of patient satisfaction in all groups was assessed during the procedure. RESULTS: The mean VAS value corresponding to the second-hour pain level of the combined group was statistically significantly lower than the other groups (P = .003). A statistically significant difference was found in the mean VAS values corresponding to the pain levels of the groups, favoring the combined group compared to the other groups (P ≤ .001). A significant difference was observed between the VAS difference values corresponding to the pain levels of the Intrafen group and the Ketamine group, favoring the Intrafen group (P = .038). The Ketamine group consumed the most analgesic on average over the first 24 hours, whereas the Combined group consumed the least. No statistically significant difference was found between the mean trismus levels of the groups on days 0-2 (P = .528) and days 0-7 (P = .129). The intraoperative patient satisfaction level of the combined group was significantly higher than that of the other groups (P = .030). CONCLUSION: Preemptive Intrafen is an effective regimen for postoperative pain management and is superior to the local anesthetic-ketamine regimen. The most effective method to reduce postoperative pain following third molar surgery is to use a combination of these 2 regimens. However, none of the treatment methods used in the study had a positive effect on postoperative trismus.