Relation of patient and surgical variables to postoperative pain and inflammation in the extraction of third molars.
OBJECTIVE
An analysis is made of the influence of patient and surgical variables upon the postoperative pain and swelling normally associated with third molar extractions.


METHODS
The following patient variables were considered in a series of 150 individuals subjected to third molar extraction: sex, age, and dimensions of neurotic personality trait and extroversion (based on the Eysenck Personality Inventory, EPI). The corresponding surgical intervention parameters were: duration, ostectomy degree, dental sectioning and number of sutures. Pain was scored on a visual analog scale (VAS) 0, 8, 24, 43 and 48 hours after surgery, while inflammation was rated by means of a verbal response scale (VRS) 48 hours after extraction.


RESULTS
Multivariate analysis showed postextraction pain to be mainly related to patient age and the number of sutures on the day of the operation, and to swelling over the subsequent days. A less important relation was observed with patient sex and the dimensions of neuroticism and extroversion.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, older patients and those subjected to extractions involving a greater number of sutures refer the most intense pain. In turn, patients with increased intensity pain also present greater inflammation.
Olmedo-Gaya
M V
MV
Facultad de Odontologia Universidad de Granada Campus Universitario de la Cartuja s/n 18071 - GRANADA.
Vallecillo-Capilla
M
M
Galvez-Mateos
R
R
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*