The influence of kinesiology tape on postoperative edema, pain, and trismus in zygomaticomaxillary fracture

Background and Objectives: Maxillofacial surgery induces alarming facial swelling while treating complex orbital and zygomatic bone fractures for which corticosteroids have been used aggressively causing side effects. This study is aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Kinesiology Tape (KT) in isolated zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures in the reduction of postoperative swelling, pain, and trismus. Methods: This was a prospective study involving thirty patients with isolated ZMC fractures divided into two groups: test and control. Surgery was performed in accordance with the standardized protocol customized for the study. KT was used on the test group. The objective assessment of swelling involving six specific reference points making five lines and pre- and postoperative mouth opening was recorded. The subjective assessment of pain and efficacy of KT was checked at the time of discharge. Results: There was a significant reduction in swelling in the postoperative period in the study group as compared to the control. The study group showed minimum swelling, and the rate of resolving was faster. Subjectively 86.6% of the patients were very satisfied in the study group and did not find any disturbance to the use of KT or difficulty in the neck movement. No significant difference was recorded in trismus and pain in both the groups. Conclusions: The postoperative swelling was significantly lower with application of KT in ZMC fractures. No significant influence was seen on pain and trismus. The subjective assessment of the patients revealed that the mouth opening increased after surgery in the study group which may be due to placebo effect. KT could be a simple, inexpensive, noninvasive approach in management of postoperative morbidity which promises to improve the quality of life.