A Prospective Randomised Double Blind Study Evaluating the Efficacy of Intra Venous Methylprednisolone in Third Molar Surgery.

Abstract

Texture.Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of 40 mg pre-operative and 80 mg post-operative doses of intravenous methylprednisolone (Solumedrol) in the reduction of post-operative complication after surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. Materials and methods: A prospective randomised double blind study was carried out in The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, GITAM Dental College and Hospital, Visakhapatnam On fifty patients with impacted mandibular third molars randomly divided into two groups of twenty five patients each after obtaining the ethical committee approval. Parameters taken for consideration are swelling, pain and trismus pre-operatively, immediate post operative, 2 nd and 7 th post operative days. WBC count on pre operative and 7 th post op day. The study solution was administered intravenously just before administration of local anesthesia. Post operative dose of the drug was given 6 hours after the pre operative dose. Results: Significant difference was observed between placebo and steroid groups with respect to pain, swelling and mouth opening from pre-operative to 2 nd day. Non-significant difference was observed between placebo and steroid groups with respect to WBC counts (cells/mm3) at pre-operative, 7 th day and difference of pre-operative to 7 th day at 5% level of significance (p>0.05).