Resumo

FERREIRA, Tatiane Romanini Rodrigues et al. Facial edema reduction after alveolar bone grafting surgery in cleft lip and palate patients: a new lymphatic drainage protocol. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2013, vol.61, n.3, pp. 341-348. ISSN 1981-8637.

Objective To determine the effectiveness of standardized manual lymphatic drainage in reducing facial edema, interincisal distance and pain after alveolar bone grafting surgery in patients with cleft lip and palate. Methods In this randomized open controlled parallel trial, 51 patients with cleft lip and palate submitted to after alveolar bone grafting were randomly divided into two groups: 1) routine group (n=22): manual lymphatic drainage performed by the patient, pumping and sliding maneuvers, for 10 minutes, 3 times/day, on the operated hemiface, and, 2) drainage group (n=29): manual lymphatic drainage performed by the physical therapist, pumping, sliding and stationary cycles maneuvers, for 30 minutes, on both sides of the face. Interincisal distance and lines formed between the nasal ala and tragus (L1) and between the nasal ala and inferior region of the ear (L2) were assessed on the operated hemiface, preoperatively, two (PO2) and four days postoperatively (PO4). Pain analog scale was applied on PO1, PO2, PO3 and PO4. Results A significant reduction in facial edema from PO2 to PO4 was observed in drainage group (L1:11.50 to 11.38cm; L2:11.06 to 10.85cm) compared to routine group; interincisal distance increased significantly in both groups from PO2 to PO4 (routine group: 1.91 to 3.14cm; drainage group: 1.99 to 3.17cm, respectively). Drainage group patients reported absence of pain on PO3 while routine group patients only on PO4. Conclusion The proposed manual lymphatic drainage procedure provided significant reduction in facial edema reduction, in pain, and interincisal distance increase, reinforcing the hypothesis that this technique was effective in accelerating the recovery of patients with cleft lip and palate undergoing alveolar bone grafting surgery. Brazilian Register of Clinical Trials: RBR-4z7cnh.

Palavras-chave : Bone transplantation.; Cleft palate.; Edema.; Face.; Lymphatic system.; Massage..