title: Efficacy of amoxicillin treatment in preventing postoperative complications in patients undergoing third molar surgery: a prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the occurrence of postoperative complications in patients receiving either pre- or postoperative amoxicillin versus placebo after third molar surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed in 123 patients undergoing third molar surgery. The patients were randomized to 3 groups, according to the treatment regimen: preoperative amoxicillin, postoperative amoxicillin, and placebo. Both surgeon and patients were unaware of the treatment assignment. The clinical outcomes, including pain, wound infection, trismus, temperature, intra- and extraoral swelling, dysphagia, side effects, and postoperative complications, were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant differences were found in the incidence of pain, wound infection, temperature, trismus, and dysphagia between the groups receiving amoxicillin versus placebo. Suture dehiscence and infection of 5 sockets were only found in the placebo group. No cases of alveolitis were observed in the 3 groups studied. No significant differences in swelling were found among the different groups. No statistically significant differences in side effects were found between the groups. The efficacy was greatest in the group receiving postoperative amoxicillin compared with the group receiving a prophylactic preoperative dose.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Amoxicillin administered pre- or postoperatively demonstrated greater efficacy than placebo in preventing postoperative complications in patients undergoing third molar surgery. The best results were obtained using the postoperative protocol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital Universitario A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain. lopez_cedrun@canalejo.org
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: López-Cedrún
authors.forename: José I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Pijoan
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: Joseba
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Santamaria
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hernandez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000658:Amoxicillin