Etodolac versus dexamethasone effect in reduction of postoperative symptoms following surgical endodontic treatment: a double-blind study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this prospective study was to analyze the effect of etodolac versus dexamethasone in reducing postoperative pain in patients who had surgical endodontic treatment using a strict protocol.


METHODS
The study consisted of 90 patients (38 males and 52 females) referred for surgical endodontic treatment. All procedures were performed using a microsurgical technique with a strict protocol. Patients were randomly premedicated with placebo or with one of both protocols: either a single dose of oral dexamethasone, 8 mg, preoperatively and 2 single doses, 4 mg, 1 and 2 days postoperatively, or a single dose of etodolac, 600 mg, and 2 single doses, 600 mg, 1 and 2 days postoperatively. Pain was recorded at 8, 24, and 48 hours, as well as 7 days postoperatively, on a 1-10 scale. The influence of different variables on postoperative sequelae was analyzed.


RESULTS
On a 1-10 scale, the mean values of pain report recorded were 3.8 +/- 2.9 (8 hours postoperatively), 2.93 +/- 2.4 (24 hours), 2.31 +/- 2.2 (48 hours), and 1.4 +/- 0.9 (7 days postoperatively). One day postoperatively, 41.8% of the patients reported no or very mild pain (score 1 or 2), whereas after 7 days, 87.9% reported no or very mild pain (score 1 or 2). Both etodolac and dexamethasone had a significant effect of reducing postoperative pain in patients who had surgical endodontic procedure compared with placebo (P < or = .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative pain following endodontic surgical treatment is not uncommon. Etodolac as well as dexamethasone might serve as a pain relief measure for postoperative pain in these patients.
Lin
Shaul
S
Department of Endodontology, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. linsh@post.tau.ac.il
Levin
Liran
L
Emodi
Omri
O
Abu El-Naaj
Imad
I
Peled
Micha
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001047:Apicoectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D017308:Etodolac / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012184:Retrograde Obturation / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D017308:Etodolac; D003907:Dexamethasone