Comparative Clinical Evaluation of Submucosal and Intramuscular Dexamethasone In Reducing Post Operative Sequelae Following Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Surgery.

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives: To understand the benefi ts of dexamethasone and to compare the effect of submucosal versus intramuscular administration of dexamethasone in reducing post operative sequelae following impacted mandibular third molar surgery. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 90 patients, who were divided into three groups of 30 each. The two experimental groups were given dexamethasone 4 mg submucosally or intramuscularly(preoperatively), and the control group did not receive any form of corticosteroid. Measurement of facial swelling, maximal interincisal distance were made pre operatively and on the fi rst, third and seventh post operative day. Pain was evaluated from patients response to visual analogue scale (VAS) and recording the number of rescue analgesic tablets taken at the end of seventh postoperative day. Results: Both dexamethasone groups showed a signifi cant reduction in pain, swelling and trismus as compared with the control group at all intervals. There was a statistically signifi cant reduction in magnitude of swelling in submucosal dexamethasone group as compared to intramuscular dexamethasone group on the 1st post operative day, but there was no signifi cant difference among two experimental groups at other times and their effects were comparable for all variables. Conclusion: Dexamethasone 4 mg is an effective therapeutic strategy for reducing post operative sequelae following surgical removal of impacted third molars and submucosal dexamethasone is an effective alternative to dexamethasone given systemically.