Minor complications after mandibular third molar surgery: type, incidence, and possible prevention.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this prospective study was to ascertain the incidence of minor complications after mandibular third molar surgery and to predict the risk of skin ecchymosis or mucosa petechiae related to the usage of an absorbable gelatin sponge.


METHODS
One hundred and four patients subjected to surgical extraction of horizontally impacted lower third molars were selected and investigated by means of questionnaires and clinical examinations. The independent sample t test was used for numeric variables. The chi-square test was used for logistic variables to determine the association between variables, and thereafter stepwise logistical regression was used.


RESULTS
The older group (> or = 30 years old), with deeply impacted teeth, and long operation times (> or = 10 minutes) were shown to have significantly higher swelling than the other groups (P < .05). The patients who had deeply impacted teeth or long operation times were shown to have significantly higher VAS scores compared to short operation times (P < .05). The use of an absorbable gelatin sponge in the extraction socket significantly decreased postoperative swelling, mucosal petechiae, and skin ecchymosis (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical variables related to postoperative bleeding disorder, pain, and trismus were identified. The insertion of an absorbable gelatin sponge into the extraction socket was found to be a very useful method to prevent postoperative bleeding problems.
Kim
Jin-Cheol
JC
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, Kyungki-do, Republic of Korea.
Choi
Seong-Seok
SS
Wang
Soon-Joo
SJ
Kim
Seong-Gon
SG
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004438:Ecchymosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005781:Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011693:Purpura / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery; D014313:Trismus / Q000209:etiology
D006490:Hemostatics