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Review
. 1990 Jan-Feb;37(1):32-41.

Alveolar osteitis following surgical removal of mandibular third molars

Affiliations
Review

Alveolar osteitis following surgical removal of mandibular third molars

K L Fridrich et al. Anesth Prog. 1990 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

PIP: The purpose of this study was to evaluate 2 methods that could be used universally to reduce the incidence of alveolar osteitis. In addition, other variables including age and sex of patient, preoperative aspirin use and discomfort, and the use of oral contraceptives (OCs) were studied. A large controlled prospective study was completed with 952 surgical extraction sites in 476 patients. Postoperative dressings included lincomycin hydrochloride (Lincocin)/absorbable gelatin sponge (Gelfoam), oxytetracycline HCL-hydrocortisone acetate (Terra-Cortril)/absorbable gelatin sponge, and absorbable gelatin sponge/saline. Bilaterally impacted mandibular 3rd molars of similar surgical difficulty were selected. Standard accepted surgical technique was used. Patients were seen 1 and 7 days after surgery or as needed. Lincomycin hydrochloride/absorbable gelatin sponge and oxytetracycline HC1-hydrocortisone acetate/absorbable gelatin sponge were effective in reducing the incidence of alveolar osteitis. Lincomycin hydrochloride/absorbable gelatin sponge is preferred because of the increased morbidity associated with dressings containing petrolatum products. Absorbable gelatin sponge alone is not effective in reducing the incidence of alveolar osteitis. Age and OC use were found to be significant factors in the incidence of this problem.

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