Effect of Triphaladi Choornam Mouthwash and Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthwash in Radio-Chemotherapy Induced Oral Mucositis in Non Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: The cases of lung and mouth cancer have boomed in the last  decade due to various reasons, the major one being tobacco consumption. In  non-metastatic squamous cell cancer of the head and neck, oral mucositis  becomes prominent, especially during chemo or radiotherapy. Such patients  also often suffer from stomatitis, xerostomia and pharyngitis.  Materials and methods: This comparative study comprises of 36 patients  undergoing chemo and radiotherapy. Here, 18 patients each are randomly  allocated in two groups. One group receiving the existing prophylactic  treatment i.e., chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash and the other group  received, Triphaladi choornam for gargling. Both the groups were asked to  perform gargling, from the first day of radiation therapy to 21 days  thereafter.  Analytical tools: The effectiveness of both mouthwashes was compared for  their healing potential and quality of life by WHO oral mucositis scale and  Patient Reported Oral Mucositis Symptoms (PROMS)scale respectively.  Conclusion: The reduction in mucositis and betterment of quality of life  was significant in the group which received ayurvedic mouthwash compared  to the prophylactic treatment group.