Kinesiologic Tape Breaking the Traditional Pharmacologic Management of Postoperative Morbidity

Abstract

Objectives Zygomatic maxillary complex fractures are common in trauma affecting maxillofacial region. Surgical treatment of these fractures causes pain, trismus and swelling, invariably affecting quality of life of patient postoperatively. To control these effects, various pharmacologic methods have been tried, but in vain. The kinesiologic tape (KT) opens the congested blood vessels and lymphatic channels, thereby improving flow across them. The goal of this study was to assess if the application of KT controls postoperative swelling as compared to corticosteroids. Materials and methods Twenty patients with zygomatic maxillary complex fractures, were randomly divided into two groups that is treatment either with KT or without KT using dexamethasone. Kinesiologic tape was placed starting immediately after surgery till 5 days postoperatively. Facial swelling was assessed at six specific time points, across by different lines on the face. Results Overall maximal swelling was seen among patients without the KT. Patients in the KT group showed maximal swelling in the immediate postoperative period, while patients in the no-KT group with dexamethasone had maximum swelling on day one. Also when we compare the extent of swelling on different days in the KT group, there is significant reduction in swelling (p < 0.05) compared to the other group. Conclusion Therefore, KT is a holistic, minimally invasive, economical approach which is improves patients’ quality of life without the adverse effects of drugs. How to cite this article Dutta A, Gopinath al, Reyazulla MA, Ramesh K, Srivastava S, Agarwal S. Kinesiologic Tape Breaking the Traditional Pharmacologic Management of Postoperative Morbidity. World J Dent 2015;6(4):199-202.