Pain and Trismus Control in Third Molar Surgery: Ibuprofen, Ketamine, and Their Combination

Comparative Effectiveness of Preemptive Ibuprofen, Ketamine, and Their Combination in Postoperative Pain and Trismus Management Following Third Molar Surgery

The goal of the clinical trial is to compare the efficacy of ibuprofen, ketamine, and their combination in managing postoperative pain and trismus following third molar surgery. The main question it aims to answer is: which is the best way to control pain and trismus after third molar surgery?

Materials and methods The study will comprise 100 individuals who requested to have their mandibular third molar tooth extracted at the Erciyes University Faculty of Dentistry. Participants were randomly allocated into four groups, with 25 patients in each group.

The first group (Intrafen group): Each patient in this group will be administered intravenous Ibuprofen (400 mg/8 ml i.v. infusion) for pre-emptive analgesic effect 60 minutes before surgical third molar extraction. Before the procedure, patients will be given local anesthesia using a mixture of 2 ml of local anesthetic (Ultracain Ds Fort 2 ml) plus 3 ml of saline solution (Poliflex 0.9% isotonic 100 ml solution). The impacted third molars of the patients will be removed.

The second group (Ketamine group): Each patient in this group will be administered intravenous 100 ml saline (Poliflex 0.9% isotonic 100 ml solution) for a placebo effect 60 minutes before surgical third molar extraction. Before the procedure, patients will be given local anesthesia using a mixture of 2 ml of local anesthetic (Ultracain Ds Fort 2 ml) plus 3 ml of saline solution (Poliflex 0.9% isotonic 100 ml solution) plus 0,3 mg/kg of ketamine (Ketalar 500 mg). The impacted third molars of the patients will be removed.

The third group (Combined group): Each patient in this group will be administered intravenous Ibuprofen (400 mg/8 ml i.v. infusion) for pre-emptive analgesic effect 60 minutes before surgical third molar extraction. Before the procedure, patients will be given local anesthesia using a mixture of 2 ml of local anesthetic (Ultracain Ds Fort 2 ml) plus 3 ml of saline solution (Poliflex 0.9% isotonic 100 ml solution) plus 0,3 mg/kg of ketamine (Ketalar 500 mg). The impacted third molars of the patients will be removed.

The fourth group (Control group): Each patient in this group will be administered intravenous 100 ml saline (Poliflex 0.9% isotonic 100 ml solution) for a placebo effect 60 minutes before surgical third molar extraction. Before the procedure, patients will be given local anesthesia using a mixture of 2 ml of local anesthetic (Ultracain Ds Fort 2 ml) plus 3 ml of saline solution (Poliflex 0.9% isotonic 100 ml solution). The impacted third molars of the patients will be removed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a fully embedded third molar tooth in the mandible
• Patients with regular attendance for routine follow up
• Patients with a healthy general systemic condition

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a fully erupted or partially embedded third molar tooth in the mandible
• Patients who have previously experienced allergies to NSAIDs, local anesthetics, and ketamine
• Pregnant or breastfeeding patients
• Patients who have recently used a different group of NSAIDs for a different condition