OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of single dose Azithromycin as prophylactic antibiotic in surgical removal of mandibular third molar. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out as an open clinical trial on fifty (23 males & 27 females) patients chosen from the ones referred to our Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Department for surgical removal of mandibular third molar (SRMTM). Pre-surgical evaluation of pain, swelling, lymphadenopathy, fever and purulent discharge from the surgical site were made. All patients were administered oral Azithromycin 500mg, 1 hour prior to the procedure. The patients were followed up clinically for a minimum period of 10 days post operatively. Evaluation for pyrexia, purulent discharge from surgical site, persistent pain &/or swelling & lymphadenopathy was done on 1st, 3rd, 7th and 10th postoperative day to determine SSI (surgical site infection). All patients received same set of post-operative medications (Tab. Diclofenac sodium (50mg) TID, Tab. Ranitidine 150 mg BID for 5 days) and set of instructions. RESULTS: Surgical site infection was seen in only one patient (2%) out of the total fifty patients included in the study when oral Azithromycin was administered one hour prior to surgical removal of mandibular third molar. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that, giving antibiotics pre-operatively 1 hour before the SRMTM is beneficial to reduce/avoid SSI. The surgeon must consider all potential factors that may contribute to the post-operative complication and decide whether the benefits of antibiotic therapy outweigh its risks.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of single dose Azithromycin as prophylactic antibiotic in surgical removal of mandibular third molar. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out as an open clinical trial on fifty (23 males & 27 females) patients chosen from the ones referred to our Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Department for surgical removal of mandibular third molar (SRMTM). Pre-surgical evaluation of pain, swelling, lymphadenopathy, fever and purulent discharge from the surgical site were made. All patients were administered oral Azithromycin 500mg, 1 hour prior to the procedure. The patients were followed up clinically for a minimum period of 10 days post operatively. Evaluation for pyrexia, purulent discharge from surgical site, persistent pain &/or swelling & lymphadenopathy was done on 1st, 3rd, 7th and 10th postoperative day to determine SSI (surgical site infection). All patients received same set of post-operative medications (Tab. Diclofenac sodium (50mg) TID, Tab. Ranitidine 150 mg BID for 5 days) and set of instructions. RESULTS: Surgical site infection was seen in only one patient (2%) out of the total fifty patients included in the study when oral Azithromycin was administered one hour prior to surgical removal of mandibular third molar. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that, giving antibiotics pre-operatively 1 hour before the SRMTM is beneficial to reduce/avoid SSI. The surgeon must consider all potential factors that may contribute to the post-operative complication and decide whether the benefits of antibiotic therapy outweigh its risks.
Entities:
Keywords:
Azithromycin; Impacted mandibular third molar; Prophylactic antibiotic; Surgical site infection