Comparison of corticosteroids and rubber drain for reduction of sequelae after third molar surgery.
BACKGROUND
For reducing edema, trismus, and pain after impacted tooth surgery, some protocols are proposed but their relative effectiveness is controversial.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of corticosteroids and rubber drain on the postoperative complications of impacted molar surgery.


METHODS
This study was carried out on 22 patients with bilateral symmetrical mandibular impacted third molars. For surgical removal of impacted teeth on one side of these patients, either rubber drain (11 cases) or perioperative corticosteroids (11 cases) were used (study group). The contralateral impacted teeth were removed routinely without using any drug or drain (control group). Facial edema, trismus, and pain perception of the study and control groups were recorded on the second and seventh postoperative days.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that perioperative steroids reduce the trismus, facial swelling, and the severity of pain after third molar surgery. This study also revealed that the use of the drain reduces facial pain and trismus but has no effect on the facial swelling after impacted tooth surgery. Comparing the steroid and drain groups, we found that perioperative corticosteroids are more effective than the surgical drain in reducing postoperative pain and edema, but their effects on trismus are similar.
Zandi
Mohammad
M
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Fahmideh Street, Hamedan, Iran. zandi88m@yahoo.com
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019990:Perioperative Care; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery*; D014313:Trismus / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D008775:Methylprednisolone