A prospective randomised cross-over study of the effect of local haemostasis after third molar surgery on facial swelling: an exploratory trial.

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken in order to evaluate the effects of local haemostasis on the facial swelling induced in patients undergoing surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar teeth.

DESIGN

A prospective randomised cross-over study.

SETTING

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Samsun, Turkey, 2002.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-five healthy patients who were having bilaterally symmetric, impacted third molar extraction were studied. The teeth were removed in two separate operations by two surgeons who had equal academic degrees. The patients were assigned to test and control groups by random selection. One side served as control and on the other local haemostasis was achieved by a haemostatic agent (oxidised regenerated cellulose). This was placed into the socket following gauze packing for 3 minutes (test). The operating time therefore significantly increased in the test group. Data was collected regarding the operating time, mouth opening and facial swelling.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the test and control groups for the mean values of the facial swelling and mouth opening at day 1 and 3 post-operatively (P > 0.05). Operating time was statistically longer for the test group than the control (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study has shown that establishment of local haemostasis after removal of impacted mandibular third molars is not so effective in preventing facial swelling.