Decadronphosphate in the relief of complaints after third molar surgery. A double-blind, controlled trial with bilateral oral surgery.

The purpose of the present double-blind study was to investigate the preventive effect of 4 mg dexamethasone (1 ml Decadronphosphate) on swelling, trismus and pain after removal of impacted mandibular third molars. The population comprised 30 healthy individuals (17 female, 13 male) who needed removal of 2 identical, impacted mandibular third molars. Each patient served as his own control as the teeth were removed in 2 sittings with either steroid or placebo injected into the masseter muscle just before starting the operation. Control visits took place 48 h and 7 days after the operations. The results showed that steroid administration led to about 50% reduction of postoperative swelling and trismus and to about 30% reduction of postoperative pain. No general or local complaints/complications occurred due to the steroid injection. It is concluded that prophylactic steroid treatment is effective in reducing postoperative complaints and that the administration is safe in the absence of contraindications for such administration. Prophylactic steroid treatment is therefore recommended in third molar surgery when pronounced postoperative reaction can be expected.