Comparative efficacy of nimesulide and ketoprofen on inflammatory events in third molar surgery: a split-mouth, prospective, randomized, double-blind study

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effect of nimesulide and ketoprofen on inflammatory parameters related to the surgical removal of third molars. A split-mouth, prospective, randomized, double-blind study was conducted in patients undergoing removal of four third molars. Eighteen eligible patients were allocated to one of two groups to receive treatment two times a day with either ketoprofen 100 mg or nimesulide 100 mg for a period of 3 days. The rescue medication intake (number) and pain intensity were evaluated at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h, and at 7 days postoperatively. Swelling and maximum mouth opening were evaluated at 24 h, 72 h, and 7 days postoperatively. The peak pain score occurred at 6h after surgery in the nimesulide group and at 12h in the ketoprofen group. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups, although pain relief was observed after 48 h in the nimesulide group and after 7 days in the ketoprofen group. For each group, there was a statically significant difference in pain scores among the studied periods (P<0.0001). None of the patients required rescue medication. There was a statistically significant difference in maximum mouth opening between the preoperative and postoperative periods (P<0.0001). Ketoprofen and nimesulide were effective at controlling pain, swelling, and trismus after the surgical removal of third molars.

Keywords: analgesia; ketoprofen; nimesulide; split-mouth; third molar.