title: Effect of age, impaction types and operative time on inflammatory tissue reactions following lower third molar surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postoperative mobidity following third molar surgery is affected by a number of factors. The study of these factors is essential for effective planning and limitation of morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of age, type of impaction and operative time on immediate postoperative tissue reactions following mandibular third molar surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients with impacted mandibular third molar teeth were studied. All the third molars were classified according to Winter's classification. Surgical extraction was performed on all the patients by a single surgeon under local anaesthesia. The operation time was determined by the time lapse between incision and completion of suturing. Postoperative pain, swelling and trismus were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 120 patients with an age range of 19-42 years. Patients in the age range of 35-42 years recorded a lower pain score (p = 0.5) on day 1. The mouth opening was much better in the lower age group on day 2 and 5 (p = 0.007 and p = 0.01 respectively). Pain, swelling and trismus increased with increasing operative time. Distoangular impaction was significantly associated with higher VAS score on day 1 and 2 (p = 0.01, 0.0, 04). Distoangular and horizontal impaction are associated with a higher degree of swelling and reduced mouth opening on postoperative review days. Vertical impaction was associated with the least degree of facial swelling and best mouth opening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increasing operating time and advancing age are associated with more postoperative morbidity, likewise distoangular and horizontal impaction types.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental & Maxillofacial Surgery, State House Medical Centre, Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria. sabello2004@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Seidu A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Bello
authors.forename: Wasiu L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Adeyemo
authors.forename: Babatunde O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Bamgbose
authors.forename: Emeka V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Obi
authors.forename: Ademola A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adeyinka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult