Effect of Immediate Post Operative Cryotherapy in the Management of Pain, Swelling and Mouth Opening Following Mandibular Third Molar Surgery - A Randomized Clinical Study

Introduction Dentoalveolar surgery involves some post-operative sequelae comprising of pain, swelling and dysfunction. Surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars constitutes a large proportion of minor oral surgical procedures and generally involves these sequelae. This calls for attention regarding an easier and cost-effective way of managing these undesirable post-surgical conditions. Aims This study aims to throw light on the effectiveness of cold compression therapy on pain, swelling, trismus following removal of impacted mandibular molars. Materials and methods A single-blind randomized clinical study consisting of two groups (Experiment and Control) is chosen. Surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar was carried out using standardized protocol. The inferior alveolar nerve and the lingual nerve were anaesthetized by administering 2 % lignocaine combined with 1200, 000 adrenaline. A standardized surgical technique was undertaken. Patients in experimental group were subjected to 45 minutes of repeated intermittent ice compression with POLAR ICE PACK TM after the surgery. It has very high cold retention capacity as compared to dry and wet ice. When used with properly, it is guaranteed to maintain cold condition for up to 30 hours. POLAR ICE PACK TM is 100 % non toxic and non carcinogenic. Those in control group were left alone without any local ice application. Results cryotherapy had significant effect on pain, swelling and mouth opening on 2nd and 7th post operative days, overall effect of immediate ice pack compression on outcome variables seemed to be insignificant when compared to control group. . Conclusion Cold compression therapy proves to be the oldest and easiest method for preventing postop sequelae such as pain,. swelling and trismus