Episode 925: Table Sugar for Tongue Entrapment

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 Donate: https://emergencymedicalminute.org/donate/