Clinical postoperative findings after removal of impacted mandibular third molars: prediction of postoperative facial swelling and pain based on preoperative variables

Purpose: This paper is intended as an investigation of the relationship between preoperative findings and short-term outcome in third molar surgery. Material and methods: We assessed 153 consecutive surgical extractions of mandibular third molars performed in 140 patients between April 1998 and March 2001. Results: Fifty-four (35%) of the 153 extractions were performed in male subjects and 99 (65%) in female subjects. The median age was 27 years. The amount of facial swelling varied depending on age and sex. Severe pain was associated with depth and preoperative index of difficulty. Average pain was associated with preoperative index of difficulty. Conclusion: In conclusion, we consider that the short-term outcomes of third molar operations (swelling and pain) differ depending on patients’ characteristics (age and sex) and preoperative index of difficulty. Further mega-trial studies of the association between preoperative findings and short-term outcome will help to elucidate the true nature and magnitude of the association.