title: A clinical report about an unusual occurrence of post-anesthetic tongue swelling.
abstract: Dentures are routinely removed from the oral cavity before general anesthetic procedures. They are only reinserted much later when the patient returns to the room. This clinical report describes an edentulous patient who developed acute tongue swelling from venous congestion as a result of tongue recovery from general anesthesia. Her complete dentures were used to separate the residual ridges during the recovery period and relieved the congestion. Denture insertion increased the height and volume of the oral cavity, which reduced pressure on the tongue, preventing a cycle of tongue compression, congestion, and swelling. This unusual complication suggests that it may be prudent for the edentulous patient to be accompanied by their dentures in the perioperative period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074. omstanw@nus.edu.sg
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Thean
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000517:prevention & control; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D003824:Denture, Complete; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014059:Tongue / Q000098:blood supply; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000150:complications; D014716:Vertical Dimension