Photobiomodulation with Low-Level Laser in the Treatment of Trismus After Radiotherapy: A Case Report

Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2019 Apr;37(4):240-243. doi: 10.1089/photob.2018.4524.

Abstract

Background: Radiotherapy is one of the treatments for cancer, which leads to many oral side effects that affect the quality of life of the patient; among them, trismus is considered. Objective: Considering the various therapies to treat this collateral effect of radiotherapy, photobiomodulation (PBM) with low-level laser is a contemporary alternative. Methods: In this article, an all-clinical case report is presented in which the patient was given trismus after radiotherapy and PBM with low-level laser. The measurement of the buccal opening was evaluated in each treatment session with a digital caliper, and the pain was evaluated through the visual analog scale (VAS). Results: The efficacy of the PBM protocol on the trismus after radiotherapy was evidenced by the decrease of pain and increase of the buccal opening. Conclusions: The use of PBM with low-level laser is an option for the treatment of trimus after radiotherapy.

Keywords: chemotherapy; glossectomy; photobiomodulation; trismus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Low-Level Light Therapy / methods*
  • Male
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Pain Measurement
  • Trismus / etiology
  • Trismus / radiotherapy*