title: Dynasplint for the management of trismus after treatment of upper aerodigestive tract cancer: a retrospective study.
abstract: In order to evaluate the Dynasplint Trismus System (DTS) for the relief of trismus secondary to the treatment of head and neck cancer, we conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who had undergone DTS therapy during a 1-year period. Our inclusion criteria were cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract; treatment with radiation, chemotherapy, and/or surgery; and a maximal incisal opening (MIO) of less than 30 mm. MIO and the rate of improvement of trismus ("gain") were measured at selected intervals. Twenty-six patients met our study criteria; their pretherapy mean MIO was 19.3 mm. At the time of their most recent measurement, the mean MIO had increased to 25.5 mm-a measured gain of 32%. Although the initial rate of gain was 0.36 mm/day during the first 6 weeks, improvement leveled off over time, and the overall rate of gain was 0.16 mm/day. We conclude that the DTS is effective in increasing the mandibular range of motion at a rate of change that is maximized during initial treatment.
authors.affiliation: UAB Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 1808 7th Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35294-0012, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Barañano
authors.forename: Eben L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.forename: Bruce A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: McColloch
authors.forename: J Scott
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Magnuson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014313:Trismus / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*