Mandibular third molar surgery in 396 patients at a Norwegian university clinic: Morbidity recorded after 1 week utilizing an e-infrastructure for clinical research

Abstract

Objective To evaluate morbidity 1 week after mandibular third molar (3M) surgery in the authors’ department. Materials and methods A prospective 1-year clinical study of patients followed up for 1 week after 3M surgery was performed. Consecutive patients of 18 years or older having 3M surgery under local anaesthesia were included. Patients not able to attend a follow-up appointment after 1 week were excluded. Demographic data, indication for surgery and clinical findings were recorded. Outcome variables were days requiring analgesic, days absent from work/school and complications. All data recording was performed utilizing an e-infrastructure for clinical research (InReach, University Health Network, www.uhnsl.com). Results Three hundred and ninety-six patients were examined 1 week after surgery. Mean number of days requiring analgesics was 3.8 and mean number of days absent from work/school after surgery was 0.6. Minor complications were reported by 7% of patients. Female patients reported more days requiring analgesics compared to male patients. Smokers had a higher odds ratio for being absent ≥3 days. Prophylactic removal of 3Ms was associated with fewer days requiring analgesics and days absent from work/school as compared to teeth with local disease. Conclusion Overall morbidity after 3M surgery was low. Compared to patients subjected to therapeutic removal of 3Ms, patients undergoing prophylactic removal seem to have less pain and a faster return to normal activities.