title: Assessment of postoperative pain of oral mucosal biopsy: A health initiative prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate post-biopsy pain using a questionnaire supported by a visual analog scale (VAS), and the role of pharmacological agents in pain relief.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred patients undergoing oral biopsy were included in the study and divided into three groups. Group A: Patients received no analgesic post biopsy, except when required (SOS). Group B: Patients received anesthetic mouthwash along with oral analgesic post biopsy. Group C: Patients received anesthetic mouthwash alone. The statistical analysis was done using statistical analysis software SPSS version 11.0. ANOVA was used to compare the VAS scores and hygiene status of the three groups, while Pearson's chi-square test was used for determining association between age, sex, educational status, and association of pain with biopsy site.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A highly significant difference was found between the VAS scores of patients in Groups A, B, and C, and significant correlation was observed between hygiene status and degree of pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral biopsy is definitely associated with pain, if proper medications are not deployed. Anesthetic mouthwash alone is sufficient to relieve the pain produced by oral biopsy. Direct correlation exists between hygiene status and the level of discomfort, thereby indicating that pain control is essential for good oral hygiene maintenance.
authors.forename: Shradha Gagan
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Jaiswal
authors.forename: Gagan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jaiswal
authors.forename: Amol Ramchandra
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gadbail
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D011446:Prospective Studies