title: Influence of two different flap designs on the sequelae of mandibular third molar surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the influence of triangular and envelope flaps on trismus, pain, and facial swelling after mandibular third molar surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty healthy patients with bilateral, symmetrically impacted mandibular third molars were included in this double-blinded, prospective, cross-over, randomized study. The patients were operated with envelope flap on one side and triangular flap on the other side. Trismus was determined by measuring maximum interincisal opening, and facial swelling was evaluated using a tape measuring method. Pain was determined using visual analog scale (VAS) and recording the number of pain pills taken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The facial swelling measurements and VAS scores were lower in the envelope flap group compared to the triangular flap group. There was no significant difference between the two flap designs in operation time, maximum interincisal opening, and the number of analgesics taken.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Envelope flap yields to less facial swelling and reduced VAS scores in comparison to triangular flap. There is no clinical difference in trismus between the two flap designs. Despite the higher VAS scores with triangular flap, no additional doses of analgesics were required in triangular flap.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey. ozgerdogan@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ozgür
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Erdogan
authors.forename: Ufuk
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tatlı
authors.forename: Yakup
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ustün
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Damlar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery*; D014313:Trismus / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics