Effect of submucosal injection of dexamethasone on post-operative sequelae of
third molar surgery.
Author(s): Deo SP.
Affiliation(s): National Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Birgunj, India.
drsrjdeo@gmail.com
Publication date & source: 2011, JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. , 51(182):72-8
OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of a single
pre-operative sub-mucosal injection of dexamethasone after third molar surgery to
see the effects on post-operative discomfort.
METHODS: This study was a prospective, double-blind, randomized, clinical trial.
The subjects were forty patients who underwent surgical removal of the mandibular
impacted third molar under local anesthesia and after being randomly assigned to
receive either an 8 mg dexamethasone as submucosal injection or a normal saline
injection into the lower buccal vestibule adjacent to the third molar. The
maximum interincisal distance and facial contours were measured at the baseline
and post-surgically on Day 2 and 7. Post-operative pain was evaluated
subjectively using a visual analog scale and objectively by counting the number
of analgesic tablets used. All subjects were operated upon by the same
investigator to minimize the difference from inter-operator variability.
RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the measurements of the degree of
swelling and trismus between the two groups on the 2nd post-operative day. In
contrast, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups on
the 7th post-operative day. The test group also used fewer analgesics
post-operatively.
CONCLUSIONS: Submucosal injection of dexamethasone after third molar surgery is
effective in reducing postoperative swelling and trismus. It also delays the
onset of post-operative pain.
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