Experience versus complication rate in third molar surgery

Abstract

ObjectivesThe records of 1087 patients who underwent surgical removal of third molar teeth were prospectively examined to analyse the possible relationship between postoperative complications and the surgeon's experience parameter.Method and materialsSeven surgeons (three specialists in surgical dentistry [specialists SD] and four oral and maxillofacial Senior House Officers [OMFS residents]) carried out the surgical procedures. For each patient, several variables were recorded including age, gender, radiographic position of extracted teeth, treating surgeon, duration of surgery and postoperative complications.ResultsAnalysis of the data revealed some differences in the incidence of complications produced by the specialists SD and OMFS residents. The main statistically relevant differences were increase the incidences of trismus, nerve paraesthesia, alveolar osteitis and infection in the resident-treated group, while the specialist-treated group showed higher rates of post-operative bleeding.ConclusionThe higher rate of postoperative complications in the resident-treated group suggests that at least some of the complications might be related to surgical experience.Further work needs to compare specialists of training programmes with different years of experience, using large cross – sectional studies.

Experience in third molar surgery: an update

“…The findings of this study are very similar to those of the preliminary study by Jerjes et al, 1 with a greater number of parameters of postoperative complications being statistically more signifi cant. Previous studies have suggested that a surgeon's experience may be a factor in the frequency of complications.…”

“…29 The use of a preoperative chlorhexidine rinse and resorbable gelatine or cellulose sponges have been suggested to reduce the incidence of alevolar osteitis, infection and bleeding. 1,11,16,24 Numbness of the lip and tongue are symptoms that a patient may rate as having a high signifi cance compared with some of the other complications described. The rates of nerve damage are variable.…”

“…20 Trismus and swelling are both subjective parameters and diffi cult to assess quantitatively, despite being easily observed. 1 They may be of varying severity and various techniques have been suggested to measure them. 20,21 In this study, there was a signifi cantly higher incidence of trismus (25 times more likely) in the group of patients treated by OMFS residents.…”

The Evaluation of Safety and Analgesic Efficacy of Paracetamol and Ibuprofen Followed by Impacted Third Molar Surgery

“…As for the evaluation of trismus, Waseem et al (22) reported that the amount of mouth opening following impacted third molar surgery with less than 25mm shows trismus criteria. Bamgbose et al (23) measured the trismus values at 1st, 2nd and 7th days after surgery.…”

“…Therefore in this study, the young patients (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25) were included. For this reason, we considered that there were no serious complications observed after impacted third molar surgery.…”