Management of inflammatory complications in third molar surgery: a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND Pain, swelling and trismus are common complications associated with third molar surgery. These complications have been reported to have an adverse effect on the quality of life of patients undergoing third molar surgery. OBJECTIVE To review the different modalities of minimizing inflammatory complications in third molar surgery. METHODS A medline literature search was performed to identify articles on management of inflammatory complications in third molar surgery. Standard textbooks of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery were also consulted and some local scientific publications on the subject were reviewed. RESULTS Methods ranges from surgical closure techniques, use of drains, physical therapy and pharmacological means. Studies reviewed have shown that no single modality effectively minimizes postoperative pain, swelling and trismus without undesirable effects. CONCLUSION Inflammatory complications after third molar surgery still remains an important factor in quality of life of patients at the early postoperative periods. Oral surgeons should be aware of the different modalities of alleviation of these complications to make postoperative recovery more comfortable for patients.