comparative evaluation of efficacy of intramuscular dexamethasone injection at three different sites in post operative sequelae following lower third molar surgery a randomised clinical trial

Abstract

Background newlineSurgical extraction of third molar is associated with significant postoperative newlinesequelae, including pain, swelling and trismus, which can cause substantial newlinediscomfort and distress to the patient. The use of corticosteroids have been shown newlineto be effective in reducing the severity of postoperative sequelae following third newlinemolar surgery. However, there is no consensus on the optimal route or site of newlineadministration of corticosteroids for third molar surgery. newlinePatients and Methods newlineA randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on a sample of 150 patients newlinewho underwent mandibular third molar extraction. The patients In the study group newlinewere given intramuscular injections of dexamethasone in three different sites: newlineMedial pterygoid, Masseter, Gluteal. The swelling (measured on a three point facial newlinemeasurement scale), trismus (assessed by maximum interincisal opening), and newlinepain (measured on visual analog scale score) experienced by the patients after the newlinesurgery were evaluated pre-operatively, immediate postoperatively, on 3rd and 7th newlinepostoperative days. newlineResults: newlineA significant decrease in swelling, trismus, and pain was observed in the Medial newlinepterygoid group on the 3rd and 7th postoperative day compared to the other two newlinegroups. The medial pterygoid group affords a better reduction in swelling, trismus, newlineand pain followed by the Masseter group. Both the medial pterygoid group and the newlinemasseter group showed significant differences in the inter-incisor distance (IID) on newlinethe 3rd and 7th postoperative day compared to the Masseter group. Medial newlinePterygoid showed a significant difference in mean pain score in the 3rd and 7th newlinepostoperative period among the three groups (p lt 0.05). newlineConclusion newlineThe most significant reduction in the severity of postoperative problems following newlinethe removal of mandibular third molars was achieved by administering an newlineinjection of dexamethasone into the medial pterygoid muscle, followed by the newlinemasseter and gluteal muscles. newline