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NCT Number: NCT07833540

Kinesio Taping vs Rigid Compression Taping Following Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery

Postoperative facial swelling and pain are common complications following corrective jaw surgery (bimaxillary orthognathic surgery). This randomized controlled trial aimed to determine whether elastic therapeutic taping (Kinesio taping) applied using a mechanical correction technique is more effective than standard rigid compression taping in reducing acute postoperative pain and facial swelling. The study also evaluated changes in oral health-related quality of life.

A total of 36 adult patients undergoing elective bimaxillary orthognathic surgery were randomly assigned into two equal groups (18 participants per group):

Kinesio Taping Group: Participants received bilateral elastic Kinesio taping applied with a mechanical correction technique.

Rigid Compression Taping Group: Participants received bilateral rigid compression taping over the surgical facial area.

Both taping applications were initiated immediately following surgery and maintained for 7 days, with tape replacement on the third postoperative day. All participants received identical standardized postoperative medication and cryotherapy protocols. Pain intensity was measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) across 7 days, facial swelling was assessed through bilateral landmark tape measurements across 7 days, and quality of life was evaluated using the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) through 3 weeks post-surgery.

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Key information

Conditions

Orthognathic Surgery Edema Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pain, Postoperative Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Postoperative Complications Postoperative Pain Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Ankara University, Faculty of Dentistry

Ankara, 06560, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This prospective, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted at Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry following ethical approval from Gazi University.

Participants scheduled for elective bimaxillary orthognathic surgery-consisting of Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) of the mandible-were allocated in a 1:1 ratio using a computer-generated simple randomization sequence.

Standardized Perioperative Care:

All participants underwent standardized bimaxillary surgery under general anesthesia. Postoperatively, all patients received a uniform medication regimen including amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (or alternative if allergic), chlorhexidine mouthwash, routine paracetamol, weight-based methylprednisolone tapering, rescue analgesia (dexketoprofen trometamol as needed), a decongestant preparation, and gastric protection. In addition, standardized intermittent bilateral cryotherapy (5 minutes on, 5 minutes off) was administered during the first 24 hours.

Intervention Protocols:

Kinesio Taping Group: 5-cm wide Kinesio tape was applied bilaterally over the postoperative facial region using the mechanical correction technique with 75%-100% tension in the correction zone and no tension at the anchors.

Rigid Compression Taping Group: Bilateral non-elastic rigid tape was applied firmly over the postoperative facial area to provide mechanical compression without neurovascular or airway restriction.

Both interventions were applied immediately post-surgery by a trained physiotherapist, renewed on postoperative day 3, and removed on day 7.

Assessments and Follow-up:

Pain: Assessed via a 100-mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at postoperative hours 6, 12, 24 (day 1), and days 2, 3, and 7. Cumulative early pain (hours 6-24) and total pain scores were also analyzed.

Facial Edema: Quantified using bilateral flexible plastic tape measurements across seven standardized anatomical facial distances (tragus-labial commissure, tragus-pogonion, tragus-lateral canthus, gonion-lateral canthus, gonion-nasion, gonion-pogonion, and tragus-nasal alar crest) measured preoperatively, immediately post-surgery, and on postoperative days 2, 5, and 7.

Quality of Life: Measured using the 22-item Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) administered preoperatively and at postoperative weeks 1 and 3.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Age older than 18 years Scheduled to undergo elective bimaxillary orthognathic surgery consisting of Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy of the mandible Provided written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Receiving regular medication Diagnosed mental disorder Coagulopathy Diabetes mellitus Chronic infection

Treatment and study plan

Kinesio Taping

Other

Bilateral facial application of 5-cm wide elastic Kinesio tape using the mechanical correction technique with 75%-100% tension in the correction area and no tension at the anchors. Applied immediately after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery, renewed on postoperative day 3, and maintained for 7 days alongside standardized postoperative medication and cryotherapy protocols.

Rigid compression taping

Other

Bilateral non-elastic rigid compression taping applied firmly over the postoperative facial region to provide mechanical compression and support without impairing circulation or respiration. Applied immediately after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery, renewed on postoperative day 3, and maintained for 7 days alongside standardized postoperative medication and cryotherapy protocols.

Primary outcomes

  1. Postoperative Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Postoperative hours 6, 12, 24, and postoperative days 2, 3, and 7

    Pain intensity was evaluated using a 100-mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where 0 represents "no pain" and 100 represents "the worst imaginable pain" (higher scores indicate greater pain intensity). Evaluated at 6, 12, 24 hours and days 2, 3, and 7 post-surgery.

  2. Facial Edema

    Time frame: Preoperative baseline, immediately postoperative, and postoperative days 2, 5, and 7

    Facial edema was quantified using a flexible millimeter tape across seven standardized bilateral linear facial reference distances: tragus-labial commissure, tragus-pogonion, tragus-lateral canthus, gonion-lateral canthus, gonion-nasion, gonion-pogonion, and tragus-nasal alar crest (measured in millimeters; increases reflect greater facial edema). Evaluated preoperatively, immediately after surgery, and on days 2, 5, and 7 post-surgery.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Oral Health-Related Quality of Life

    Time frame: Preoperative baseline, and postoperative weeks 1 and 3

    Assessed using the 22-item Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ), evaluating four domains: facial aesthetics, oral function, awareness of dentofacial aesthetics, and social aspects of dentofacial deformity. Each item is scored on a 4-point scale (total score ranges from 0 to 88, where higher scores indicate greater impairment or poorer quality of life). Evaluated preoperatively and at postoperative weeks 1 and 3.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Gazi University

Other

Collaborators

  • Ankara University

Registry information

Official study title

Management of Pain and Facial Edema Following Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery: Kinesio Taping Versus Rigid Compression Taping: Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 22, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 22, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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