Hilotherapy cooling temperature plays a pivotal role in pain and inflammation reduction after the surgery. The patients who received hilotherapy at 18 °C temperature experience less residual swelling on the 30th day of the orthognathic surgery as compared to hilotherapy at 22 °C, as described from a randomized, prospective study published in March edition of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. No significant difference in terms of pain relief between the two groups was found.

This study by Larz Bonitz et al. was performed to evaluate swelling and post-operative pain at cooling temperatures (18 °C and 22 °C) used in hilotherapy or also known as cold compression therapy.

To justify the studys' objective, a total of 156 patients with mono-one, bignathic osteotomy or genioplasty was included. These patients were stratified into Group 1 (18 °C in 78 patients) and Group 2 (22 °C in 78 patients). A 3D optical scanner was used to assess swelling on day 1, day 2, day 3, day 7, day 14, day 30, and day 90 of the surgery. The assessment on day 90 was considered as a reference value linked with pain and swelling.

The beginning and features of the post-operative swelling of the face was the most significant result of this study. Group 1 patients had a slower beginning, shorter peak of swelling and highest level of swelling on the day 2. Group 1 patients had a higher peak and the onset was quicker with the highest level on day 2 following the surgery (Figure 1). 

The need for analegics ad the resulting adverse effects can be reduced with the help of hilotherapy which is effective option for swelling and pain relief after the surgery, thereby decreasing the need for analgesics and to avoid their side effects, noted the study authors.