How I do it: a technique for oral wound irrigation following maxillectomy and mandibulectomy.
BACKGROUND
Numerous devices have been recommended for ensuring appropriate hygiene and care of wounds resulting from maxillectomy and mandibulectomy. This article describes an irrigation device for use in the oral cavity after these procedures.


METHODS
The system consists of: a prepackaged, disposable, 50-cc piston syringe; a nonconductive connecting tube; and, a saliva ejector that can be assembled for oral irrigation.


RESULTS
The modified piston syringe allows physicians, nurses, and patients to efficiently irrigate mucosal wounds, maxillary or mandibular defects, and oropharyngeal or oral and pharyngeal wounds.


CONCLUSIONS
This system is efficacious, more adaptable, and less expensive than other self-irrigating gravimetic instruments and is thus recommended for use in patients who have undergone maxillectomy or other ablative procedures in the oral cavity.
Chambers
Mark S
MS
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), Houston, Texas, USA.
Lemon
James C
JC
Martin
Jack W
JW
D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000451:nursing*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D014945:Wound Healing