A Comparative Study of the Effect of Sutureless Versus Multiple Sutures Technique on Complications following Third Molar Surgery in Nepalese Subpopulation

Objective. To compare the effect of sutureless versus multiple sutures technique on postoperative variables such as pain, swelling, and trismus after surgical removal of the third molar in Nepalese subpopulation. Materials and Methods. Forty-eight patients were equally grouped into multiple sutures (group 1) and sutureless (group 2) groups using a computer-generated random table. The same operator performed all the surgical procedures. Postoperative variables such as pain, swelling, and trismus were measured by a single concealed observer using a 10 cm Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), flexible plastic measuring tape, and vernier caliper preoperatively and on 1st, 2nd, and 7th postoperative days. Results. This study showed significantly more swelling measured from the gonion to lateral canthus in group 1 than in group 2 on all postoperative periods (P<0.05). The mean NRS score was significantly higher in group 1 on the 1st postoperative day (P=0.01). Though mean duration of surgery, swelling as measured from tragus to commissure, trismus, NRS score except on the 1st postoperative day, total number of analgesics consumed, and complications were noted more in the multiple sutures group, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion. Our results support the use of sutureless technique after third molar surgery to minimize postoperative morbidity and the overall operative time and reduce the cost within the Nepalese subpopulation

Maxillofacial Injuries in an Eastern Nepal Tertiary Hospital

Background: Maxillofacial injury is a major health problem, and injury patterns vary in different societies. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the pattern of maxillofacial injuries presenting to BPKIHS. Methods: Patients with age >15 years presenting with maxillofacial injuries from May, 2019 to April, 2020 were included in this cross-sectional descriptive study. Demographic profile, etiology, delay in presentation, pattern of soft tissue/ bony/ dental injuries, treatment modality were recorded and analyzed using Microsoft excel. Results: Within one year study period 190 patients with age group >15 years presented with facial injuries. There were 164 male (86.32%) and 26 female (13.68 %) patients (M:F=6.3: 1) with mean age of 34.96 years. Road Traffic Accident (RTA) (61.58%) was the most common etiology. Majority of the patients reported to hospital within 2-6 hrs of injury. Other associated injuries was present in 36.32 % of patients with orthopedic injury (60.87%) being common. Soft tissue injuries were seen in 80.53% patients, of which 49.02% were associated with facial fractures. Mandible fractures were seen in 56.19% of hard tissue injuries, of which 40.68% had multiple fractures followed by 28.81% with parasymphysis fracture. Within 37.14% patients with midface fractures, zygoma fracture (33.33%) was the commonest. Intervention was done in 80.95 % patients, with ORIF (72.38 %) being the commonest. Dentoalveolar injuries was seen in 22.63 % patients, of which 48.19% were associated with facial fractures. Conclusions: Our observations show that motor vehicle accidents were the most frequent cause of maxillofacial injury. Keywords: fracture; maxillofacial injuries; patter