Effects of midazolam/low-dose ketamine conscious intravenous sedation on pain, swelling, and trismus after surgical extraction of third molars.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical efficacy of midazolam plus low-dose ketamine conscious intravenous sedation on relief from or prevention of postoperative pain, swelling, and trismus after the surgical extraction of third molars.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Patients admitted for surgical extraction of mandibular third molars (n = 50) were included. All patients received an initial dose of 0.03 mg/kg intravenous midazolam; then patients in the midazolam-placebo (MP) group received 2 mL of a placebo IV, while patients in the midazolam-ketamine (MK) group received 2 mL of a ketamine + saline combination (0.3 mg/kg ketamine + saline) IV.

RESULTS

Facial swelling on postoperative days was significantly lower in the MK group than in the MP group (P = .001). Mouth opening on postoperative days was significantly greater in the MK group than in the MP group (P = .001). Pain scores measured on a visual analog scale at 4, 12, and 24 hours after surgery were significantly higher in the MP group than in the MK group (P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Conscious intravenous sedation with midazolam/low-dose ketamine during surgical extraction of third molars can provide the patient with a comfortable procedure and good postoperative analgesia, with less swelling and significantly less trismus. Intravenous low-dose ketamine may be safe and effective in reducing postoperative pain.