Management of iatrogenic displacement of maxillary third molar into pterygomandibular space: case report

Third molar surgery is the most common minor oral surgical procedure performed in dental clinics. Displacement of maxillary third molar tooth into adjacent spaces such as infratemporal fossa, maxillary sinus has been reported earlier. We present an unusual case of iatrogenic displacement of maxillary third molar into pterygomandibular space.A 24 year old dental undergraduate reported to Department of Oral surgery with complaints of trismus and swelling in the check region after unsuccessful attempt at extraction of maxillary right third molar tooth. Computed tomography scan localized the tooth in the pterygomandibular space. A surgical removal of the displaced tooth was performed under general anesthesia.Displaced tooth was approached by an intraoral vertical incision along the anterior border of ramus of mandible. Correlating with computed tomography scan, tooth was located and removed followed bysuturing of the surgical site. A good knowledge of the operating area and adjoining spaces is essential to avoid iatrogenic damage to tissues during minor oral surgery procedures. Adequate exposure and appropriate instrumentation during surgery can prevent undue complications and ensure quality patient care

The efficacy of dexamethasone injection on postoperative pain in lower third molar surgery

BACKGROUND: Surgery on the lower impacted third molar usually involves trauma in the highly vascularized loose connective tissue area, leading to inflammatory sequelae including postoperative pain, swelling, and general oral dysfunction during the immediate post-operative phase. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of preoperative injection of a single dose of 8 mg dexamethasone for postoperative pain control in lower third molar surgery. METHODS: A controlled, randomized, split-mouth, prospective study involving lower third molar surgery was performed in 31 patients. The randomized sampling group was preoperatively injected, after local anesthesia, with a single dose of dexamethasone (8 mg in 2 ml) through the pterygomandibular space; 2 ml of normal saline (with no dexamethasone) was injected as a placebo. RESULTS: The pain VAS score was significantly different on the day of the operation compared to the first post-operative day (P = 0.00 and 0.01, respectively), but it was not significantly different on the third and seventh postoperative day between the control and study groups. There was a significant reduction in swelling on the second postoperative day, and a difference between the second postoperative day and baseline value in the study group (P < 0.05). Trismus was highly significantly different on the second postoperative day and between baseline and second postoperative day between the groups (P = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). Descriptive statistics and independent-samples t- test were used to assess the significance of differences. CONCLUSIONS: Injection of 8 mg dexamethasone into the pterygomandibular space effectively reduced the postoperative pain and other postoperative sequalae.

The efficacy of dexamethasone injection on postoperative pain in lower third molar surgery

BACKGROUND: Surgery on the lower impacted third molar usually involves trauma in the highly vascularized loose connective tissue area, leading to inflammatory sequelae including postoperative pain, swelling, and general oral dysfunction during the immediate post-operative phase. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of preoperative injection of a single dose of 8 mg dexamethasone for postoperative pain control in lower third molar surgery. METHODS: A controlled, randomized, split-mouth, prospective study involving lower third molar surgery was performed in 31 patients. The randomized sampling group was preoperatively injected, after local anesthesia, with a single dose of dexamethasone (8 mg in 2 ml) through the pterygomandibular space; 2 ml of normal saline (with no dexamethasone) was injected as a placebo. RESULTS: The pain VAS score was significantly different on the day of the operation compared to the first post-operative day (P = 0.00 and 0.01, respectively), but it was not significantly different on the third and seventh postoperative day between the control and study groups. There was a significant reduction in swelling on the second postoperative day, and a difference between the second postoperative day and baseline value in the study group (P < 0.05). Trismus was highly significantly different on the second postoperative day and between baseline and second postoperative day between the groups (P = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). Descriptive statistics and independent-samples t- test were used to assess the significance of differences. CONCLUSIONS: Injection of 8 mg dexamethasone into the pterygomandibular space effectively reduced the postoperative pain and other postoperative sequalae.

Surgical extraction of mandibular third molar in pterygomandibular space: a case report

Impacted mandibular third molars are located between the second mandibular molar and mandibular ramus. However, ectopic mandibular third molars with heterotopic positions are reported in the subcondylar or pterygomandibular space. The usual cause of malposition is a cyst or tumor, and malposition without a pathology is rare. This case report described an impacted mandibular third molar in the pterygomandibular space without any associated pathology.

Complication of local dental anesthesia: a broken needle in the pterygomandibular space

Broken dental needles are a rare event. They are difficult to find and remove. This paper reports a case of broken needle in the pterygomandibular space. The needle was localized using plain radiograph and removed under local anesthesia and venous sedation. Preventing needle breakage is important, as it can be a traumatic experience for the patient. Practitioners should routinely inspect dental needles before administering injections and minimize the number of repeated injections using the same needle. A meticulous injection technique is imperative. If breakage occurs, immediate referral to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is necessary. It is strongly recommended that only an oral and maxillofacial surgeon may indicate and/or perform surgery to remove the broken needle.