Randomized Study on Postoperative Intra-alveolar Betadine Irrigation Versus Chlorhexidine Irrigation on the Incidence of Occurrence of Alveolar Osteitis After Mandibular Third Molar Surgery.

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of two different antiseptic solutions for irrigation of the extraction socket and the incidence of occurrence of dry socket in the sample population in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Patients and
Methods: A prospective and randomized study among the patients reporting to the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery for surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars under local anesthesia was done in a group of 100 patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two different intervention groups (groups A and B) were allocated which comprised irrigation of the extraction sockets continuously up to 7 postoperative days with chlorhexidine (hexidine 0.2% ICPA) and povidone iodine (Betadine® mouthwash 1%), respectively. Pain, edema, trismus, alveolar osteitis, infection, wound dehiscence and food debris impaction were the various outcome variables.
Results: A total of 100 patients participated in this study, while there was a loss in the follow-up of 5 patients. Pain scores, edema and the incidence of occurrence of alveolar osteitis were significantly reduced in group A (p < 0.05). The effect on trismus was statistically insignificant. Pain scores had reduced significantly on the 7th-day follow-up in group A as compared to group B (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Chlorhexidine is therefore a good option for irrigation of the surgical site. There is also a decrease in incidence of occurrence of AO with chlorhexidine irrigation than with that of povidone iodine irrigation. Hence, chlorhexidine can be preferred over betadine for the routine preparation and irrigation of the surgical site. © The Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India 2020.