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Efficacy of methylprednisolone in controlling complications after impacted lower third molar surgical extraction

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Abstract

Introduction

Impacted third molar extraction causes considerable swelling in the days immediately following surgery. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of methylprednisolone as a single 40-mg intramuscular dose in controlling the complications of impacted lower third molar surgical removal.

Materials and methods

Thirty-five patients were evaluated within the framework of a consecutive sampling and double-blind study with intrasubject measurements. Extraction comprised ostectomy with tooth sectioning of both lower third molars under local anesthesia. The study group received 40 mg of methylprednisolone injected into the gluteal region, while the controls received no such medication. In each individual one molar was randomly assigned to the study group and the other to the control series – with extraction of the two teeth being spaced 1 month apart. Evaluations were made of postoperative pain, trismus and swelling, and measurements were obtained for oral aperture and various distances (tragus-lip commissure, gonion-lip commissure and gonion-external canthus of the eye) before surgery and 2–7 days after extraction. Statistical correlations were made based on the Student t-test for the comparison of means of related samples.

Results

A statistically and clinically significant association was observed 2 days after surgery between methylprednisolone administration and increased oral aperture and diminished facial swelling. Likewise, less pain was recorded in the study group 6 h after surgery.

Conclusion

The results confirm the efficacy of methylprednisolone in providing a more comfortable postoperative course after surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Master of Oral Surgery and Implantology, School of Dentistry of the University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    J. M. Micó-Llorens, M. Satorres-Nieto, J. Gargallo-Albiol & J. Arnabat-Domínguez

  2. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Master of Oral Surgery and Implantology, School of Dentistry of the University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    L. Berini-Aytés & C. Gay-Escoda

  3. Centro Médico Teknon, Vilana 12, 08022, Barcelona, Spain

    C. Gay-Escoda

Authors
  1. J. M. Micó-Llorens
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  2. M. Satorres-Nieto
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  3. J. Gargallo-Albiol
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  4. J. Arnabat-Domínguez
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  5. L. Berini-Aytés
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  6. C. Gay-Escoda
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Correspondence to C. Gay-Escoda.

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Micó-Llorens, J.M., Satorres-Nieto, M., Gargallo-Albiol, J. et al. Efficacy of methylprednisolone in controlling complications after impacted lower third molar surgical extraction. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 62, 693–698 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-006-0164-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-006-0164-5

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