The Effect of Flurbiprofen Lozenge on Pain, Oedema, and Trismus after Impacted Third Molar Surgery: A Prospective Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study

Abstract

Background: The postoperative sequelae after third molar surgery include pain, swelling and trismus, Flurbiprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Flurbiprofen is thought to involve inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis, in common with other NSAIDs. Prostaglandins such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and other inflammatory mediators released in response to pain or non-infectious stimulants trigger a complex inflammatory cascade that contributes to inflamation symptomsThis study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oral Flurbiprofen lozenge given 30 min before surgery on reducing postoperative sequelae. Method: We recruited 70 patients, randomly assigned to two groups: Flurbiprofen and Control group, groups received 100mg Flurbiprofen lozenge, placebo lozenge 30 min before surgery respectively and every 6h till 72h after surgery. Third molar extraction was performed under local anesthesia. After extraction, pain, swelling, and mouth opening in both groups observed till 72h. Statistical Analysis: Preoperative and postoperative measurement of visual analog scale scores for pain, edema, interincisal opening, was analyzed using Student t test or ANOVA, Chi-square or Mann-Whit-ney U test was performed for non-parametric samples. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The overall incidence of Pain in the Flurbiprofen group was 18% compared to 43% in the Control group (P = .003) Incidence of Pain, swelling, and mouth opening at different time intervals 6h, 24h, 48h and 72h were significantly (P >0.05) better in Flurbiprofen group. Conclusion: Oral Flurbiprofen lozenge administered 30 minutes preoperatively can significantly reduce postoperative sequelae after third molar extraction.