title: Comparison of clinical efficacy of methylprednisolone and serratiopeptidase for reduction of postoperative sequelae after lower third molar surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgical removal of mandibular third molars results in some degree of post-operative pain, swelling and trismus. These can be controlled by proper administration of local anesthesia, careful bone removal, minimal trauma to adjacent soft tissues and administration of methylprednisolone and serratiopeptidase drugs. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of methylprednisolone and serratiopeptidase in controlling post-operative pain, swelling and trismus after surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were divided into two groups of 50 patients each undergoing surgical removal of mandibular third molars. Group A was given methylprednisolone 4mg orally every 8th hourly and Group B was given serratiopeptidase 10 mg every 12th hourly orally. Post-operatively pain, swelling and trismus were evaluated at the end of 1st, 3rd and 5thday.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of this study showed that methylprednisolone is an effective analgesic, while serratiopeptidase has moderate analgesic activity. Serratiopeptidase is more effective than methylprednisolone in controlling post surgical swelling and trismus. Hence combination of these two drugs would be very effective than individual drug when widespread post-operative sequelae are expected after surgical removal of impacted lower third molars.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that methylprednisolone affords better pain relief while serratiopeptidase exerts better anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling effects in the post-operative period. Synergistic combinations of these two drugs would however prove to be more effective when extensive post-operative sequelae are expected. Key words:Methylprednisolone, serratiopeptidase, pain, swelling, trismus, third molar.
authors.affiliation: MDS, Senior lecturer, Department of Oral & maxillofacial surgery, School of Dental Sciences, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Deemed University, Karad, Satara (District), Maharashtra (State), India.
authors.forename: Mouneshkumar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chappi D
authors.affiliation: MDS, Senior lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, School of Dental Sciences, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Deemed University, Karad, Satara (District), Maharashtra (State), India.
authors.forename: Kandagal V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Suresh
authors.affiliation: DNB, Senior Resident, Department of Pediatrics, RCSM Government Medical College, Kolhapur (District), Maharashtra (State), India.
authors.forename: Manisha R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: MDS, Professor, Department of Oral & maxillofacial surgery, College of dental sciences, Davangere (District), Karnataka (State), India.
authors.forename: Rajendra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.affiliation: MDS, Professor & Head, Department of Oral & maxillofacial surgery, College of dental sciences, Davangere (District), Karnataka (State), India.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Tauro
authors.affiliation: MDS, Professor, Department of Oral & maxillofacial surgery, College of Dental Sciences, Davangere (District), Karnataka (State), India.
authors.forename: Shiva
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bharani K N S
authors.affiliation: MDS, Professor, Department of Oral & maxillofacial surgery, School of Dental Sciences, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Deemed University, Karad, Satara (District), Maharashtra (State), India.
authors.forename: Mushtaq I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Parkar
authors.affiliation: Senior lecturer, Department of Oral & maxillofacial surgery, College of Dental Sciences, Davangere (District), Karnataka (State), India.
authors.forename: Harsha V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Babaji