Publication:

Effects of submucosal dexamethasone in minimizing postoperative pain, swelling and trismus in lower third molar surgery: a randomized double-blind study

Background Aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of 8 mg pre-operative submucosal dexamethasone administrated in the vicinity of lower third molar in reduction of post-operative pain, swelling and trismus after trans-alveolar extraction.

Methods This randomized prospective double-blind study included 60 ASA grade I patients with moderately difficult impaction (according to winter’s war line and Pell and Gregory’s classification). Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group A (study group) patients received 8 mg of submucosal dexamethasone immediately after the onset of local anesthesia and group B (control group) received 2 ml of normal saline (placebo) respectively. Assessment of swelling, mouth opening, and pain was done at intervals of 1st, 3rd, and 7th post-operative days.

Results There were 24 (80%) males and 06 (20%) females in group-A and 22 (73.3%) males and 8 (26.7%) females in group B. Administration of pre-operative submucosal dexamethasone had statistically significant effect in reduction of pain, swelling and trismus in all the postoperative evaluation days (p<0.05) as compared to control group.

Conclusions Pre-operative 8 mg submucosal dexamethasone injection in the vicinity of impacted lower third molar, is significantly effective in reduction of postoperative pain, swelling and trismus.