Factors associated with facial swelling severity following impacted lower third molar surgery: A prospective study

Abstract

Background: The ultimate purpose of this prospective study is to estimate and measure swelling associated withsurgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars in different four post-operative times and to identify the riskfactors associated with determination of their risk degree.Material and Methods: In this prospective cohort study 159 consecutive cases in which removal of impacted lowerthird molars in 107outpatients were evaluated. Five groups of variables have been studied which are regarded as apotential factor for swelling after mandibular third removal which will enable the surgeon to predict and counsel highrisk patients in order to offer a preventive strategy.Results: Facial measurements were carried out on 1st, 2nd days, 1st and 2nd week postoperatively to measure theswelling area in each time respectively The peak level of swelling was noted on the second post-operative day andsubside by seven days but in some cases the swelling was still in minor degree while in most patients it was zero byday 14.Conclusions: The degree of difficulty of the surgical extraction was the main indicators of risk factors for the swelling inall post-operative days because it involves all the other risk factors together