Trismus intra-operative release and expansion (TIRE): A novel operative treatment for trismus

Trismus is a common symptom for patients with head and neck cancer. This study aimed to evaluate outcomes using the novel Trismus Intra-operative Release and Expansion (TIRE).

All patients from 2012 to 2022 with histories of head and neck cancers and trismus treated with TIRE were included. Data examined included measured interincisal distance (IID) before and after treatment, and improvement or worsening of trismus.

Thirty-eight patients with trismus were identified, and fourteen underwent TIRE. All had undergone surgery, and 13 had completed radiation therapy prior to TIRE. Mean improvement of IID immediately after TIRE was 18.44 ± 6.02 mm (p < 0.0001). At first follow-up (2.51 ± 3.23 months, n = 8), mean improvement from pre-operational measurements was 11.14 ± 9.17 mm (p = 0.018).

TIRE was initially successful in increasing IID in some patients, but sustained improvements were not consistently seen past 1 year follow-up. TIRE could help resolve trismus enough to proceed with options for trismus therapy using devices and/or mouth opening exercises.