Single dose of dexamethasone with or without ibuprofen effects on post-operative sequelae of lower third molar surgical extraction

Abstract EN

Objective : To evaluate the combined effect of single preoperative dose of dexamethasone and ibuprofen in comparison to dexamethasone alone on postoperative pain, swelling and trismus after third molar surgery.

Methods : Sixty patients (35 males, 25 females), underwent surgical extraction for their partially impacted lower third molar.

Patients were allocated into three groups.

In the first group (n = 20), 8mg of (2 ml) dexamethasone was injected intramuscularly into the deltoid muscle one hour before the operation, while in the second group (n =20), 8mg of (2 ml) dexamethasone was injected intramuscularly into the deltoid muscle and 600 mg ibuprofen was administered one hour before the operation.

In the third (control) group (n=20), 2ml of normal saline was injected intramuscularly.

Pain, swelling and trismus were evaluated postoperatively.

The data were collected and statistically analyzed using (ANOVA) test.

Results : There was no significant difference among the groups (control, dexamethasone, and dexamethasone-ibuprofen groups) in pain intensities showed by visual analogue scale.

Postoperative swelling was significantly less in dexamethasone, and dexamethasone-ibuprofen groups in comparison with the control group.

Smaller loss of mouth opening postoperatively was noted in dexamethasone-ibuprofen group compared to the other two groups.

Conclusion : The combination of preoperative dexamethasone and ibuprofen is associated with reduced pain, trismus, and swelling after dental surgical procedures.