Assessment of the bioavailability of an antibiotic prophylactic protocol in patients undergoing third molar surgery.

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the antibiotic bioavailability of a prophylactic protocol in patients undergoing third molar surgery. Samples from 25 patients were analysed (average age 21 ± 3.89 years, range 18-33 years; 14 female). The patients received single-dose prophylaxis of 2 g amoxicillin orally 1 hour prior to third molar surgery. Venous blood (1.5 ml) and blood from the third molar socket (1.50 ml) were obtained. The amoxicillin plasma concentration was determined in both samples by high performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector (HPLC/DAD). Their associations with demographic variables (age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), sex) and antibiotic exposure time were analyzed using linear regression models. The mean amoxicillin plasma level detected in the venous blood was 1.21 ± 1.17 µg/ml (range 0.49-6.34 µg/ml) and in the third molar socket was 4.14 ± 2.24 µg/ml (range 0.86-7.46 µg/ml) (P < 0.001). No relationship was observed between the bioavailability of the drug and the patient biometric indices evaluated. The prophylactic administration of 2 g amoxicillin in third molar surgery showed greater bioavailability in the molar socket than the concentrations established as necessary to inhibit the growth of microorganisms that cause oral infections. The results show the need to review the current infection control protocols in oral surgery in light of the overestimated doses observed.

Design of a scale for measuring post-surgical complications in third molar surgery.

The aim of this study was to design a scale for measuring the extent and severity of post-surgical complications in third molar surgery. A multi-stage study using a quantitative methodology and qualitative interview strategy was employed. The degree of importance of signs and symptoms in the evaluation of post-surgical complications was initially observed using a self-report questionnaire administered to maxillofacial surgeons and surgical residents at the International Conference of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in 2011. Then, using exploratory factor analysis, the items and components of the scale were established, with internal consistency determined using Cronbach's alpha. Finally, a group of experts performed a face validity analysis and provided conceptual definitions for the items and components. Thirty-six signs and symptoms were evaluated by 100 respondents, with the most relevant being 'suppuration' and 'abscess'. Factor analysis of the results identified three factors, defined as 'secondary complication', 'soft tissue infection', and 'osseous involvement' (Cronbach's alpha>0.7). Finally, a preliminary scale was designed comprised of these three components and 10 items. In this way, a preliminary scale for measuring post-surgical complications was designed to standardize the semiological concepts of post-surgical assessment. This scale will be assessed in a future investigation.