Analysis of postoperative symptoms following surgical endodontic treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this prospective study was to analyze postoperative pain and swelling of patients undergoing surgical endodontic treatment using a strict protocol incorporating measures to control postoperative symptoms.


METHODS
The study consisted of 82 patients referred for surgical endodontic treatment. All surgical procedures were performed using a microsurgical technique employing strict protocol. All patients were premedicated with a single dose of oral dexamethasone (8 mg) preoperatively and two single doses (4 mg) 1 and 2 days postoperatively. Antibiotics were prescribed selectively only when severe symptoms were present due to infection. Patients were administered chlorhexidine mouthwash twice daily starting 3 days before the operation and an additional 7 days postoperatively starting the day after surgery. Cold compresses were applied on the skin at the site of surgery intermittently every 15 minutes during the operative day. Pain and swelling were recorded pre- and postoperatively, and the influence of different variables on postoperative sequelae were analyzed.


RESULTS
One day postoperatively, 76.4% of the patients were completely pain free, less than 4% had moderate pain, and 64.7% did not report any swelling. The preoperative symptoms significantly influenced the pain experience post-surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a low incidence of postoperative pain and swelling following endodontic surgical treatment according to protocol with measures to control postoperative signs and symptoms. Patients with preoperative pain were more likely to have postoperative pain.
Tsesis
Igor
I
Department of Endodontology, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Fuss
Zvi
Z
Lin
Shaul
S
Tilinger
Gabriel
G
Peled
Micha
M
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001047:Apicoectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012184:Retrograde Obturation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone