Preemptive Analgesic Efficacy of Diclofenac Sodium for Surgical Removal of Impacted Third Molars

Abstract

ABSTRACTIntroductionPreemptive analgesia is an evolving concept where therapeutic intervention be made prior to the onset of pain. This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of diclofenac sodium 100 mg as preemptive analgesic administered 1 hour before removal of impacted third molars using split mouth study model.Materials and methodsA randomized placebo control study was done on 30 patients requiring bilateral impacted tooth removal. Patients were administered 100 mg of diclofenac sodium and placebo 1 hour prior to surgery at different appointments. Patients were assessed for intraoperative pain and postoperative pain with visual analog scale on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd postoperative days.ResultsStatistical difference was found in pain experience during 1st postoperative day (p = 0.0153). Patients after receiving diclofenac sodium 100 mg experienced less pain compared to placebo side. There was no difference found in pain experience between the study and control groups on subsequent postoperative days and overall pain experience.ConclusionBetter management of pain improves quality of life after procedure. Thus, preemptive analgesia may be beneficial in reducing pain intensity. Larger sample blinded studies may prove efficiency of preemptive analgesia.How to cite this articleRangaswamy S, Sheshappa KN, Srikanthan R. Preemptive Analgesic Efficacy of Diclofenac Sodium for Surgical Removal of Impacted Third Molars. J Health Sci Res 2016;7(2):38-41.