The assessment of need for suturing following maxillary third molar extractions

Abstract

Maxillary third molar extractions (MTME) are one of the most common procedures done in maxillofacial surgery. Nevertheless, there are general complications that arise with every surgery. In our study, we have aimed to understand why suturing had been done following MTME and to observe a predilection in age and gender. By attempting to do so, we may establish when suturing is required and if age and gender have a role to play. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted after reviewing and analysing the data from 86,000 patient records between June 2019 and March 2020. Patients with an established record of MTME were selected from the age group of (20-60) years. The females of the study population had a larger frequency for having undergone MTME (52.7%) compared to the males (47.3%) and lastly transgenders (0.1%). The highest incidence of MTME was found in the age group of (31-40) years with 30.6% followed by (20-30) and (41-50) years with 26.9% each. (51-60) years had the least MTME done (15.6%). There was a higher incidence of extracted 28’s than 18’s (52.1% > 47.9%). Sutures were placed only in 1.6% of the total cases due to tuberosity fractures that had occurred as a complication of MTME. The placement of a suture following exodontia is not always mandatory, but when a complication such as a maxillary tuberosity fracture arises, suturing must be done. It is imperative to be equipped with the knowledge on how to manage possible complications, because even simple exodontias can prove to have fatal outcomes. Thus, further studies must be done to confirm our findings and to test other geographical locations and ethnicities.