Comparative Study between the Combination of Dexamethasone and Bupivacaine for Third Molar Surgery Postoperative Pain: A Triple-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial

Objectives: To compare the possible benefits of the combination of dexamethasone–bupivacaine with articaine–epinephrine as an anaesthetic block after third molar surgery. Materials and Methods: Triple-blind, randomized, controlled, parallel, phase 3 clinical trial. Two groups: experimental (93 patients) with standard anaesthetic block: 40/0.005 mg/mL articaine–epinephrine and submucosal reinforcement with 0.8 mg dexamethasone–5% bupivacaine; and control group (91 patients) with standard block: 40/0.005 mg/mL articaine–epinephrine. The surgery consisted of the extraction of the impacted mandibular third molar by performing a procedure following the same repeatable scheme. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to analyse postoperative pain. Results: Groups were homogeneous, without significant differences related to epidemiological variables. Postoperative pain among the first, second, and seventh postoperative days was statistically significantly lower in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Drug consumption was lower in the experimental group throughout the study period (p < 0.04). Conclusion: Bupivacaine is an alternative to articaine in oral surgery, being more effective in reducing postoperative pain by reducing patients’ scores on the VAS as well as their consumption of analgesic drugs after surgery

GEODIVULGAR: Geología y Sociedad

Fac. de Ciencias GeológicasFALSEsubmitte

Effect of virtual reality and music therapy on anxiety and perioperative pain in surgical extraction of impacted third molars

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of virtual reality (VR) and music therapy on anxiety and perioperative pain in patients undergoing extraction of impacted third molars. METHODS: A total of 275 patients who had to undergo surgery for third-molar extraction participated in a randomized controlled trial and were divided into 3 parallel groups: music therapy intervention (n = 91), VR intervention (n = 93), and control (n = 91). The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the visual analog scale of pain intensity were used as measurements in this study. RESULTS: Patients in the music therapy and VR groups showed a greater reduction in anxiety level scores after third-molar extraction surgery (reduction in total anxiety in music group: 15.12; 95% CI, 13.16 to 17.08; Rosenthal r, 1.61; P \u3c .001; reduction in total anxiety in VR group: 9.80; 95% CI, 7.66 to 11.95; Rosenthal r, 0.97; P \u3c .001; reduction in total anxiety in control group: 9.80; 95% CI, 7.66 to 11.95; Rosenthal r, 0.97; P \u3c .001). The intensity of pain after the intervention was lower in patients in the music therapy group than patients in the control group (P = .04). After the intervention, the music therapy and VR groups presented a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (P \u3c .05), diastolic blood pressure (P \u3c .05), and heart rate (P \u3c .05) compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the use of music therapy and VR during third-molar extraction surgery reduces anxiety and improves the patient\u27s physiological parameters. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Implementation of these interventions (noninvasive, nonpharmacologic, economic) in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery and dentistry could improve procedures performed under local anesthesia, improving the clinical experience of patients. This clinical trial was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. The registration number is ACTRN12622000384752

GEODIVULGAR: Geología y Sociedad

Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasFALSEsubmitte