Impact of Preoperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis on Postoperative Infection and Dry Socket in Third Molar Surgeries

Abstract

Background: Commonly, impacted mandibular third molars are surgically extracted, which can cause infections. This study examines whether antibiotic prophylaxis reduces postoperative infections in impacted mandibular third molar extractions.

Methods: Before surgery, 100 patients were randomly assigned to antibiotic prophylaxis (Group A) or a placebo (Group B). The primary outcome was postoperative surgical site infections (SSIs), while the secondary objective was rescuing analgesia. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square testing.

Results: In the antibiotic group, 4% developed SSIs, compared to 24% in the placebo group (p = 0.03). Additionally, 12% of patients in the antibiotic group required rescue analgesia, compared to 36% in the placebo group (p = 0.02).

Conclusion: Antibiotic prophylaxis significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative infections and the need for rescue analgesia following impacted mandibular third molar extractions. These findings suggest that antibiotic use may be beneficial in improving surgical outcomes in such procedures.