diff --git a/supabase/functions/process-selective-approval/index.ts b/supabase/functions/process-selective-approval/index.ts
index 4c15a90b..f360fbd6 100644
--- a/supabase/functions/process-selective-approval/index.ts
+++ b/supabase/functions/process-selective-approval/index.ts
@@ -632,6 +632,37 @@ serve(withRateLimit(async (req) => {
       }
     }
 
+    // ✅ CLEANUP: Delete temporary references for approved items
+    const approvedItemIds = approvalResults.filter(r => r.success).map(r => r.itemId);
+    if (approvedItemIds.length > 0) {
+      try {
+        const { error: cleanupError } = await supabase
+          .from('submission_item_temp_refs')
+          .delete()
+          .in('submission_item_id', approvedItemIds);
+        
+        if (cleanupError) {
+          edgeLogger.warn('Failed to cleanup temp refs for approved items', {
+            requestId: tracking.requestId,
+            approvedItemIds,
+            error: cleanupError.message
+          });
+          // Don't throw - cleanup failure shouldn't block approval
+        } else {
+          edgeLogger.info('Cleaned up temp refs for approved items', {
+            requestId: tracking.requestId,
+            count: approvedItemIds.length
+          });
+        }
+      } catch (cleanupErr) {
+        edgeLogger.warn('Exception during temp ref cleanup', {
+          requestId: tracking.requestId,
+          error: cleanupErr instanceof Error ? cleanupErr.message : 'Unknown error'
+        });
+        // Continue - don't let cleanup errors affect approval
+      }
+    }
+
     // Batch update all rejected items
     const rejectedItemIds = approvalResults.filter(r => !r.success).map(r => r.itemId);
     if (rejectedItemIds.length > 0) {