COMPARISON OF EFFICACY OF ACECLOFENAC AND IBUPROFEN AFTER SURGICAL REMOVAL OF IMPACTED THIRD MOLAR.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Subhrajyoti Chattopadhyay,
C/o. Mr. Satyajit Chakroborty,
Trinayani Apartment (2nd Floor),
Taltala, Arabinda Pally,
Siliguri-734006, West Bengal.
E-mail: drsubhra1972@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

The removal of impacted mandibular third molar is one of the most frequently performed oral surgical procedure, which leads to severe pain and swelling owing to trauma and inflammation of soft tissue and bone. The quality of life after lower third molar surgery is affected three times more in patients with pain, swelling and trismus alone or in combinations. Postoperative pain after third molar surgery is often used as a model to test the efficacy of analgesics. Despite existence of several studies, no analgesics has won the certificate of excellence and the quest is still on to find out a better agent in this aspect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study was aimed at evaluating ibuprofen and aceclofenac, among 100 patients regarding the individual efficacies and to compare between the two drugs in reducing postoperative facial swelling, pain and trismus after removal of mandibular third molars. The patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive either ibuprofen 400 mg (Group A, n = 50) or aceclofenac 100 mg (Group B, n = 50), each drug 8^th hourly for three days postoperatively. Facial swelling, pain and mouth opening scores were recorded on the first, second, fifth and seventh postoperative days.

RESULTS

Both the drugs were found to be effective in controlling postoperative facial swelling, pain and mouth opening compared with their own baseline measurements. Relief of pain and trismus were found better in patients receiving ibuprofen (400 mg) compared with aceclofenac (100 mg), while control of facial swelling was found comparable between the groups.

CONCLUSION

The study concludes that both ibuprofen (400 mg) and aceclofenac (100 mg) are effective in controlling postoperative swelling, pain and trismus after surgical removal of impacted lower-third molars. Ibuprofen is better than aceclofenac in alleviation of pain and trismus. Control of facial swelling is comparable with the use of both drugs. A dose-response study and evaluation of different drug formulations of these molecules are warranted in such surgical setting in future.

KEYWORDS

Aceclofenac, Ibuprofen, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Postoperative Pain, Third Molar.