title: Effect of submucosal injection of dexamethasone on postoperative discomfort after third molar surgery: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the relative ability of 4 mg dose of intraoperative dexamethasone, administered submucosally, to reduce the postoperative discomfort after third molar surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 100 patients requiring surgical removal of a single mandibular third molar were included. The experimental group (50) received dexamethasone 4 mg as submucosal injection and control group (50) received no drugs. The maximum interincisal distance and facial contours were measured at baseline and at postsurgery days 2 and 7. The measurement of pain was done using visual analog scale (VAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the patients developed wound infection or any serious postoperative complications. Postoperative edema tended to be less severe on the second postoperative day in the experimental group and the result was statistically significant. There were no significant differences in the reduction of pain and trismus between the two groups studied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Submucosal administration of dexamethasone sodium phosphate (4 mg) results in reduction of postoperative edema, comparable with or greater than other routes of administration. Presumably, a higher effective drug concentration at the site of injury without loss due to distribution to other compartments may be achieved, and the submucosal route is convenient for both the surgeon and the patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Submucosal route of administration of dexamethasone (4 mg) is effective in reducing postoperative discomfort after third molar surgeries.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, MES Dental College, Perinthalmanna, Malappuram, Kerala, India, e-mail: drrakesh83@yahoo.co.in.
authors.forename: Rakesh B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: N M Mujeeb
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ummar
authors.forename: K A Abdul
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Hafiz
authors.forename: Johnson K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Issac
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Sameer
mesh_terms: D000278:Administration, Buccal; D058956:Administration, Mucosal; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004487:Edema / Q000517:prevention & control; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000379:methods*; D014313:Trismus / Q000517:prevention & control; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone