Efficacy of Preoperative Administration of Paracetamol-Codeine on Pain following Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Randomized, Split-Mouth, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Abstract EN

Objectives.

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of preoperative administration of single-dose of paracetamol-codeine, in the relieving of acute postoperative pain after the surgical removal of an impacted mandibular third molar.

Materials and Methods.

The study cohort consisted of 32 Caucasian outpatients, giving a total of 64 bilateral symmetrical impacted mandibles.

Patients were randomized in two experimental groups to receive a preoperative oral dose of paracetamol-codeine (analgesic group) or a placebo (placebo group) at the first and second surgeries.

Study participants were asked to record pain intensity scores during the operation and the next 2 days, the time of the first request for rescue analgesic, and the total number of postoperative-supplement paracetamol-codeine tablets.

Results.

The pain intensity score on the first day was significantly lower in the analgesic group than in the placebo group (p<0.001).

The time to using rescue therapy was significantly longer in the analgesic group than in the placebo group (p=0.004).

The number of paracetamol-codeine tablets used postoperatively did not differ between the analgesic and placebo groups (p=0.104).

Conclusions.

Preoperative paracetamol-codeine is effective in providing immediate postoperative pain control after third molar surgery and in delaying the initial onset of pain.

This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (Registration Number): NCT03049878.