Dentistry

Abstract

Efficacy of Methylprednisolone Injected into Masseter Muscle Preoperatively in Surgical Extraction of Lower Third Molars: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Triple Blind Study

Diljith Rishi, Akshay Shetty, Nikhil Srivastava, Rajani BC, Pratyush Anshuman and Pragati Kakkar

Background and objective: The administration of corticosteroids effectively reduces trismus, pain and facial swelling, but review of the literature has revealed few reports of administration of these drugs in the region adjacent to surgical trauma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of methylprednisolone injected into the surgical site to reduce pain, swelling and trismus following the surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars and to develop protocols for effective use of corticosteroids in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Methods: This randomized placebo controlled triple blind study was carried out between November 2012 to May 2014 on 15 patients requiring surgical removal of bilateral mandibular third molars. Patients were randomly allocated into the corticoid and control groups. The patient, operator and assessors were blinded with regards to the side of use of methylprednisolone 40 mg and a placebo (injection saline) thus making it a triple blind study.
Results: In 13 out of 15(86.6%) patients the methylprednisolone group had better outcome in terms of less pain. In 12 out of 15(80%) patients the methylprednisolone group had better outcome in terms of less swelling and 11 out of 15(73.3%) patients the methylprednisolone group had better outcome in relation to trismus.
Interpretation and Conclusion: This randomized control trial has helped us to conclude that methylprednisolone definitely has a positive outcome in terms of reducing post-operative pain, swelling and trismus after lower third molar surgery.