The effect of using pineapple fresh juice to improve post-surgical pain, ecchymosis and swelling in maxillofacial region

Background: Facial plastic surgeries are usually associated with various post-surgical unde- sirable symptoms, particularly pain, Swelling, and ecchymosis. Depending on the nature of the procedures, these symptoms could last for days, sometimes over a week or more. Considering the optimal efficacy of Bromelain, this study is used to justify the benefits of pre-operative use of Bro- melain found in pineapple using fresh pineapple juice to reduce such complications. Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical study was performed among 100 patients undergoing various facial surgical operations; the patients were randomly divided into two groups; fifty patients received the pre-operative fresh pineapple juice (350ml glass) twice every day, a week before and continued for seven days after surgery. The pain level was determined using a visual an- alog scale, Swelling, and ecchymosis judged by visual inspection. Average scores for all symptoms were added to obtain the clinical sum score for each visit. Results: Pre-operative use of fresh pineapple juice was significantly reduced post-surgical pain, swelling, and ecchymosis with statistically significant results (p<0.005) in each pineapple groups. Conclusion: Bromelain found in pineapple fruit can be used as a successful therapy before var- ious facial surgical procedures to minimize and provide faster recovery from undesirable post-op- erative symptoms.