Hilotherm efficacy in controlling postoperative facial edema in patients treated for maxillomandibular malformations

A cooling system based on polyurethane preshaped masks for postoperative cryotherapy, named Hilotherm, has been recently introduced. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this equipment in controlling postoperative edema and compare the results with those obtained with a group treated with conventional cryotherapy and a group not treated with cryotherapy.

Ninety patients were included in this randomized controlled trial. The 90 patients were divided into 3 groups. Group A was treated with Hilotherm. Group B was treated with conventional cryotherapy. Group C was not treated with cryotherapy. Using a tape measure, we measured for both sides of the face the distances in centimeters between point 0 and external canthus ([alpha]), most lateral point on the ala of the nose ([beta]), commissura labialis ([gamma]), and Pos ([delta]). We performed a Kruskal-Wallis test comparing the average variation of edema on the right and left sides of the face for each facial segment of patients of the 3 groups from time 0 to time 24 hours.

No cryotherapy is the worst treatment for every segment studied. In anatomic regions defined [beta], [gamma], and [delta], Hilotherm was more effective in containing edema than the ice pack 24 hours after the first measurement. Opposite results were seen on district [alpha], the site not completely enclosed in the mask.

The substantial difference between different treatments probably consisted in the greater reliability of the Hilotherm system, which is characterized by easy handling, constant temperature control, comfort, and practicality of the masks.