Antibiotic prophylaxis in third molar surgery.

Author(s): Pasupathy S, Alexander M

Affiliation(s): Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Kalitheerthalkuppam, Pondicherry, Union Territory, India.

Publication date & source: 2011-03, J Craniofac Surg., 22(2):551-3.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of prophylactic antibiotics, if any, in the removal of mandibular impacted third molars. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 89 patients were randomly allocated in 3 groups (group 1, placebo; group 2, amoxicillin 1 g orally 1 h before surgery; and group 3, metronidazole 800 mg orally 1 h before surgery). RESULTS: Of the 89 patients, 5 had surgical wound infection (3 [10.33%] in group 1, 2 [6.45%] in group 2, and none [0%] in group 3), leading to an overall infection rate of 5.61%. There was no statistically significant difference found in surgical wound infection between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study failed to show any advantage in the routine use of prophylactic antibiotics because we found no statistically significant difference between the groups.