title: Effect of ice compression on pain after mandibular third molar surgery: a single-blind, randomized controlled trial.
abstract: This study was designed to investigate the effect of compression with ice and compression alone on pain and quality of life after surgical removal of mandibular third molars. A prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled study design was chosen. Participants in group A applied 45 min of repeated compression with ice; those in group B applied 45 min of repeated compression without ice (control); and those in group C did not apply any compression. Pain intensity was measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) three times a day for seven days. At day seven, overall pain reduction was scored on a global perceived effect (GPE) scale and a quality-of-life questionnaire was completed. Ninety-five patients completed the trial. The VAS scores demonstrated a significant pain decrease in groups A and B three days postoperatively. No significant differences were observed between groups A and B. Based on the GPE ratings, in groups A and B more patients indicated that pain was reduced successfully, but this was not statistically significant. Quality of life was significantly better for patients in groups A and B. These results demonstrate that compression after surgical removal of mandibular third molars is a valuable method for preventing pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, VU University Medical Center/Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, The Netherlands. t.forouzanfar@vumc.nl
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Forouzanfar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sabelis
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ausems
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Baart
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: van der Waal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007053:Ice; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007053:Ice