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Critical Care39 papers

Aphthae major

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Aphthous major lesions, also known as major aphthae or recurrent oral ulcers, are painful, shallow ulcers that occur in the mouth and are significantly larger than minor aphthous ulcers, often causing significant discomfort and impacting oral function 10.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical presentation of painful, well-demarcated ulcers ≥1 cm in diameter 10.
  • Exclusion of other causes of oral ulcers through history and physical examination 10.
  • No specific diagnostic tests; biopsy rarely needed unless atypical features are present 10.
  • Management

  • Symptomatic treatment: topical corticosteroids (e.g., fluocinonide) or anesthetic agents (e.g., lidocaine) for pain relief 10.
  • Oral hygiene maintenance and avoidance of spicy or acidic foods to reduce irritation 10.
  • Systemic corticosteroids for severe cases to reduce inflammation and duration (dose varies; consult guidelines) 10.
  • Nutritional support and hydration to promote healing 10.
  • Special Populations

  • Elderly: Increased susceptibility to complications; comprehensive geriatric assessment recommended to address comorbidities and functional status 34.
  • Comorbidities: Management may need adjustment in patients with concurrent systemic conditions affecting immune response 567.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Use topical corticosteroids for symptomatic relief in managing pain and inflammation (Evidence: Moderate) 10.
  • Consider systemic corticosteroids for severe cases to shorten healing time and reduce symptoms (Evidence: Moderate) 10.
  • Implement comprehensive geriatric assessment in elderly patients to optimize overall care and outcomes (Evidence: Expert opinion) 34.
  • References

    1 Feth M, Lepper PM, Eimer C, Bauer AK, Muellenbach R, Ajouri J et al.. Evaluating factors associated with the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in major trauma - an analysis of the TraumaRegister DGU. European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society 2025. link 2 Carne B, Raina A, Bothara R, McCombie A, Fleischer D, Joyce LR. Factors contributing to death of major trauma victims with haemorrhage: A retrospective case-control study. Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA 2023. link 3 Fisher JM, Bates C, Banerjee J. The growing challenge of major trauma in older people: a role for comprehensive geriatric assessment?. Age and ageing 2017. link 4 Kocuvan S, Brilej D, Stropnik D, Lefering R, Komadina R. Evaluation of major trauma in elderly patients - a single trauma center analysis. Wiener klinische Wochenschrift 2016. link 5 Hua R, Zhang Y, Chen F, Zhou Z, Li X, Shao B et al.. Decreased levels of perforin-positive lymphocytes are associated with posttraumatic complications in patients with major trauma. Injury 2014. link 6 Zeng L, Zhang AQ, Gu W, Chen KH, Jiang DP, Zhang LY et al.. Clinical relevance of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the high mobility group box 1 protein gene in patients with major trauma in southwest China. Surgery 2012. link 7 Zeng L, Zhang AQ, Gu W, Zhou J, Zhang LY, Du DY et al.. Identification of haplotype tag single nucleotide polymorphisms within the receptor for advanced glycation end products gene and their clinical relevance in patients with major trauma. Critical care (London, England) 2012. link 8 Bogner V, Kirchhoff C, Baker HV, Stegmaier JC, Moldawer LL, Mutschler W et al.. Gene expression profiles are influenced by ISS, MOF, and clinical outcome in multiple injured patients: a genome-wide comparative analysis. Langenbeck's archives of surgery 2007. link 9 Pallister I, Empson K. The effects of surgical fracture fixation on the systemic inflammatory response to major trauma. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2005. link 10 Pellegrin K, Neurauter G, Wirleitner B, Fleming AW, Peterson VM, Fuchs D. Enhanced enzymatic degradation of tryptophan by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase contributes to the tryptophan-deficient state seen after major trauma. Shock (Augusta, Ga.) 2005. link 11 Dyas J, Ayres P, Airey M, Connelly J. Management of major trauma: changes required for improvement. Quality in health care : QHC 1999. link 12 Sampalis JS, Denis R, Fréchette P, Brown R, Fleiszer D, Mulder D. Direct transport to tertiary trauma centers versus transfer from lower level facilities: impact on mortality and morbidity among patients with major trauma. The Journal of trauma 1997. link 13 . Preliminary analysis of the care of injured patients in five Scottish teaching hospitals: first report from the Scottish Trauma Audit Group (STAG). Health bulletin 1995. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Evaluating factors associated with the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in major trauma - an analysis of the TraumaRegister DGUFeth M, Lepper PM, Eimer C, Bauer AK, Muellenbach R, Ajouri J et al. European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society (2025)
    2. [2]
      Factors contributing to death of major trauma victims with haemorrhage: A retrospective case-control study.Carne B, Raina A, Bothara R, McCombie A, Fleischer D, Joyce LR Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA (2023)
    3. [3]
    4. [4]
      Evaluation of major trauma in elderly patients - a single trauma center analysis.Kocuvan S, Brilej D, Stropnik D, Lefering R, Komadina R Wiener klinische Wochenschrift (2016)
    5. [5]
    6. [6]
    7. [7]
    8. [8]
      Gene expression profiles are influenced by ISS, MOF, and clinical outcome in multiple injured patients: a genome-wide comparative analysis.Bogner V, Kirchhoff C, Baker HV, Stegmaier JC, Moldawer LL, Mutschler W et al. Langenbeck's archives of surgery (2007)
    9. [9]
      The effects of surgical fracture fixation on the systemic inflammatory response to major trauma.Pallister I, Empson K The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2005)
    10. [10]
      Enhanced enzymatic degradation of tryptophan by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase contributes to the tryptophan-deficient state seen after major trauma.Pellegrin K, Neurauter G, Wirleitner B, Fleming AW, Peterson VM, Fuchs D Shock (Augusta, Ga.) (2005)
    11. [11]
      Management of major trauma: changes required for improvement.Dyas J, Ayres P, Airey M, Connelly J Quality in health care : QHC (1999)
    12. [12]
    13. [13]

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