The role of preoperative and intraoperative variables in predicting post operative complications after impacted mandibular third molar exodontia.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the role of pre and Intra operative variables in predicting postoperative complications after removal of impacted Mandibular third molars.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

87 patients who required 90 surgical extractions of impacted Mandibular teeth were involved in the study. Radiological and clinical data were taken preoperatively. Intra operative difficulty and complications were recorded. Postoperative complications were also recorded.

RESULTS

Increasing body mass index (BMI), depth from point of elevation and occlusal level of teeth were significantly associated (P < 0.05) with the occurrence of postoperative complications. The Intra operative difficulty and Intra operative complications were both statistically significantly associated with postoperative complications (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The BMI, depth of point of elevation and occlusal level of teeth are important preoperative predictors of postoperative complications. Also important are the frequency of intra operative complication and the duration of surgery in the removal of impacted teeth. Specific intra operative complications were however not as helpful in predicting specific postoperative complications in this study.