Comparison of the anti-inflammatory effectiveness of dexamethasone as pre-surgical and post-surgical therapy in mandibular third molar surgery: A randomized clinical trial.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the anti-inflammatory effectiveness of dexamethasone as pre-surgical and post-surgical therapy in mandibular third molar surgery. Materials and methods: Randomized clinical trial conducted in 60 patients in need of mandibular third molar extraction, ages ranging from 16 to 35 years old, at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Arzobispo Loayza National Hospital during the period of January-March, 2016. Patients were distributed in two randomized groups: Group A received 4mg dexamethasone intramuscular before the surgery, and Group B received the same medication post-surgery. Facial edema was assessed using the distance between facial points, trismus was evaluated using the interincisal distance, and pain intensity was determined using a Numerical Scale (NS). Results: Facial edema values were lower in Group A at 60 minutes (p=0.002) and after the first (p=0.001) and third days (p=0.009), compared to Group B. Regarding trismus, no significant differences between the groups were found. Regarding pain intensity, the highest point was recorded at 6 hours in both groups; however, no significant differences between the groups were found. Conclusion: Pre-surgical dexamethasone administration produced a significantly greater reduction in facial edema after mandibular third molar surgery.

Efficacy of various routes of dexamethasone administration on post-operative complications following impacted mandibular third molar surgeries, comparative clinical study.

“…(8) Our study was in coincidence with other studies who proved that the dexamethasone administration pre-operatively offered a high comfort levels to patients. (9,10,11) Other authors in their studies reported significant reducing in facial edema following peri-operative sub-mucosal injection of 4 mg of dexamethasone. (8,12) Also, in other study it has been concluded that pre-operative single sub ther apeutic dose of submucosal of dexamethasone will help in reducing the post-operative discomfort.…”

Review of dexamethasone administration for management of complications in postoperative third molar surgery

“…In the absence of local anesthesia, this process begins at the incision and continues during the intraoperative and postoperative periods 7 . Preoperative administration was favorable among studies comparing perioperative and postoperative administration 13 , 66 , 67 .…”