“EFFECT OF SUBMUCOSALAND INTRAMUSCULAR DEXAMETHASONE ON POSTOPERATIVE SEQUELAE AFTER THIRD MOLAR SURGERY - A COMPARATIVE STUDY”

Abstract

Purpose: This prospective comparative study was undertaken to evaluate the efcacy of sub-mucosal and intramuscular administration of Dexamethasone injection immediately after the third molar surgery and compare parameters of swelling, trismus and pain between the three groups. Materials and Methods: 150 patients were selected and allocated into 3 groups. Group I- Submucosal Dexamethasone (8mg) injection, Group II- Intramuscular (Deltoid muscle) Dexamethasone (8mg) injection were administered immediate post-operatively and Group III- Control group were not administered any steroid. Parameters were evaluated pre-operatively and on the 2nd & 7th days. Results: Signicant difference noted between submucosal and intramuscular group, both in postoperative swelling and pain, but there is no statistically signicant difference in measurement of trismus (P value 0.036 and 0.041respectively) noted. Also number of rescue analgesic tablets taken at each interval also differed signicantly. The two dexamethasone groups differed signicantly from controls at all time intervals (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Submucosal Dexamethasone showed higher efcacy compared to intramuscular dexamethasone & control group in reducing the postoperative inammatory sequelae in the surgical removal of impacted lower third molar teeth. Finding of this study has a signicant clinical impact.