Episode 925: Table Sugar for Tongue Entrapment

Emergency Medical Minute

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

1. 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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