Assessing the Effectiveness of Preoperative Intravenous Clindamycin versus Intravenous Metronidazole in prevention of Dry socket in Surgical Extraction of Impacted Mandibular Third Molar: A Prospective Comparative Study

Abstract

Introduction: Alveolar osteitis or fibrinolytic osteitis is commonly referred as dry socket, is a condition that is a possible complication of extraction and surgical disimpaction.Dry socket is when the extraction socket is exposed and the clot that is to be covering it post extraction has been dislodged.The ethology of dry socket is multifold and has many contributing factors like infection, inflammation, or the nature of the extraction..

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of preoperative antibiotic administration of metronidazole and Clindamycin in surgical extraction of mandibular third molar extraction

Methods: 50 patients visiting the Oral and Maxillofacial surgery department for the surgical extraction of mandibular thrid molar were selected and assigned into two groups after consent and approval was taken explaining them in detail the procedure. Group 1 was administered 400mg of metronidazole IV one hour prior to the surgery and group 2 was administered 300mg of Clindamycin IV one hour prior to the surgery. Both groups were instructed to take analgesics twice a day for 5 days, and to report back after 7 days for review or to report back immediately in case of severe pain

Results: The incidence of Dry socket in both the groups were not statistically significant and were similar to previous reports of literature

Conclusions: In this study, it was found that administering a single dose of Clindamycin intravenously before surgery did not decrease the occurrence of dry socket. However, it was found to be just as effective as a single preoperative intravenous dose of metronidazole. This suggests that Clindamycin is a dependable and efficient option for patients who are allergic to the nitroimidazole group