Purpose

In most cases, the removal of third molars leads to a significant degree of tissue trauma, resulting in common postoperative symptoms and signs of pain, facial swelling, dysfunction, and limited mouth opening (trismus). The beneficial effects of cold treatment on postoperative swelling, edema, pain, and inflammation, as well as the reduction in bleeding and hematomas, have been described. The aim of the present study was to compare postoperative cooling therapy using cooling compresses with that using the water-circulating cooling face mask by Hilotherm. We recorded the beneficial effects on postoperative facial swelling, pain, trismus, and neurologic complaints.

Results

Patients receiving cooling therapy using Hilotherm demonstrated less facial swelling, less pain, a tendency toward fewer neurologic complaints, and were more satisfied than the patients who had received conventional cooling.

Conclusion

The results of our study have shown that the Hilotherm is more efficient for managing postoperative swelling and pain after the removal of third molars than conventional cooling using compresses score was unchanged in both groups.

Background

Several studies have shown that mild hypothermia (32–34 °C) markedly mitigates brain damage after cardiac arrest (CA). This study aimed to compare the efficacy of the non-invasive cooling device Hilotherm® Clinic (Hilotherm® GmbH, Germany) with conventional cooling to induce and maintain mild hypothermia in patients after out-of-hospital CA

Results

The speed of cooling was significantly higher in both Hilotherm groups compared to conventional cooling (Hilotherm 0.7 m2: 0.91 ± 0.08 °C/h, Hilotherm 0.35 m2: 0.47 ± 0.04 °C/h, and conventional: 0.3 ± 0.04 °C/h, p ≤ 0.003). Temperature deviation from the target temperature of 33 °C was significantly higher in the conventional group compared to both Hilotherm groups. During induction of mild hypothermia a significant reduction of the mean arterial blood pressure and the heart rate was observed without significant differences between the groups. However, the speed of cooling (range 0.3–0.91 °C/h) did not correlate to the decrease of blood pressure and heart rate. Norepinephrine dosing during induction of mild hypothermia and re-warming (1st–2nd day) was significantly increased compared to the 3rd day after admission in all groups. Dobutamine dosing and 30 days in-hospital mortality did not differ significantly between the groups.