Effect of submucosal administration of dexamethasone on postoperative discomfort after third molar surgery.

AIM

To compare the impact of submucosal dexamethasone (4 mg) administered after the onset of local anesthesia on postoperative discomfort after third molar surgery and compare the parameters with a control group that did not receive the drug.

METHODS

A total of 60 patients indicated for surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars (mesioangular, Class II or III, and position B or C) were randomly divided into two groups of 30 patients each. After the onset of local anesthesia, the first group (Group A) received a submucosal injection of 4 mg dexamethasone adjacent to the surgical site, and the control group (Group B) received no drug. Pain, swelling, and trismus were recorded at follow-up visits on the 1, 2, and 7 postoperative days. Assessment of postoperative discomfort was performed by evaluating responses through a modified postoperative symptom severity scale questionnaire, which was administered to the patients on the 7 postoperative day.

RESULTS

The difference in subjective pain values and the mean number of analgesics consumed was not significant between the groups. The difference in postoperative swelling was statistically significant on the 1, 2 ( < 0.0001), and 7 postoperative days ( = 0.0152). The difference in postoperative trismus was highly significant on 1 and 2 postoperative days ( < 0.0001). The difference in the mean total quality of life (QOL) score, Eating, Appearance, Daily activity subscale ( < 0.0001), and Social Isolation subscale ( = 0.0002) was statistically significant between both groups.

CONCLUSION

It was found that the administration of submucosal dexamethasone resulted in significantly lesser postoperative swelling and trismus and better QOL outcomes.