Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Postsurgical Oral Prophylactic Antibiotic Versus Antimicrobial Suture Placement Alone in Preventing Surgical Site Infection After Removal of Impacted Mandibular Third Molar.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of postsurgical oral prophylactic antibiotic versus antimicrobial suture placement in preventing infection after removal of an impacted mandibular third molar.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, single-blind study including 150 individuals of 18-40 years divided into two groups with 75 patients each. The patients in Group 1 were administered oral amoxicillin tablets 500 mg for 5 days postsurgery with 3-0 polyglactin sutures for closure and in group 2 with (3-0) antimicrobial chlorhexidine diacetate-impregnated polyglactin sutures only. Evaluation was done on 3rd, 7th, 15th days and 1 month.
RESULTS: There was no significant difference in rates of infection between the groups. Abnormal erythema, pain and trismus showed statistically better results in group 2 on 3rd and 7th days. An antibiotic side effect assessment showed 17.65% patients with minor side effects.
CONCLUSION: Chlorhexidine diacetate-impregnated polyglactin sutures showed reduced erythema, pain and trismus in healthy patients undergoing surgical removal of third molar. © The Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India 2019.