Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD
Educational Pearls:
Pediatric case study where the child’s tongue was stuck in the opening of a hard plastic drink lid
Entrapment restricts circulation which causes fluid to build and the tongue becomes more edematous with time
There is a risk of ischemia with prolonged entrapment
Initially tried 2% viscous lidocaine for analgesia and lubricant
The ER recognized that this mucosal, edematous tongue could benefit from the trick for ostomies and rectal prolapses → table sugar!
Sugar granules absorb water which decreases tissue edema
This option avoids sedation and aggressive treatment
References
A Young Girl with Tongue Swelling Jarjour, Jane et al. Annals of Emergency Medicine, Volume 84, Issue 3, 317 - 318
Summarized by Meg Joyce, MS1 | Edited by Meg Joyce & Jorge Chalit, OMS3
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