[Results of a comparative prospective randomized study of surgical removal of mandibular wisdom teeth with and without rubber drainage].

This investigation compared the results of 2 types of wound closure - primary closure technique with and without Penrose drains (Naturallatex) - after mandibular third Molar removal. In both the test group (n = 27) and control group (n = 25), the molar were removed using a buccal mucoperiosteal flap. The test group received a drain partially submerged into the socket to secure more drainage of woundsecrete. Examination were performed 1 day, 3 days and 7 days after surgery, and swelling, trismus, pain and analgetic consommation were recorded. Analysis of Variance indicated that there was significant difference between the 2 methods. The drain method appears to minimize postoperative edema, trismus, pain and analgetic consommation, and thus contributes to enhanced patient comfort.