H P Kearns1, B E McCartan, P J Lamey. 1. Department of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology, School of Dental Science, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence and severity of post-operative pain and use of analgesics following biopsy of oral mucosal lesions. DESIGN: A patient survey using a self-completed pain diary. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy-six patients attending an oral medicine clinic for investigation of oral mucosal disease recorded overall and worst pain experiences and analgesic usage over 7 post-operative days following biopsy using visual analogue scales in patient completed diaries. RESULTS: One third of patients reported no post-operative pain on any day. Most patients recorded no pain or mild pain. The percentage experiencing pain dropped from the first day (61%) to the seventh day (21%). Most patients did not use any analgesics. Analgesic use was not related to the presence of pain. Only a small minority of patients recorded severe pain. CONCLUSION: Biopsy of oral mucosal lesions does not cause undue pain in most patients.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence and severity of post-operative pain and use of analgesics following biopsy of oral mucosal lesions. DESIGN: A patient survey using a self-completed pain diary. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy-six patients attending an oral medicine clinic for investigation of oral mucosal disease recorded overall and worst pain experiences and analgesic usage over 7 post-operative days following biopsy using visual analogue scales in patient completed diaries. RESULTS: One third of patients reported no post-operative pain on any day. Most patients recorded no pain or mild pain. The percentage experiencing pain dropped from the first day (61%) to the seventh day (21%). Most patients did not use any analgesics. Analgesic use was not related to the presence of pain. Only a small minority of patients recorded severe pain. CONCLUSION: Biopsy of oral mucosal lesions does not cause undue pain in most patients.