Impact of oral antibiotics on health-related quality of life after mandibular third molar surgery: An observational study

• Published in: Nigerian journal of clinical practice Vol. 20; no. 9; pp. 1189 - 1194
• Main Authors: Braimah, R O, Ndukwe, K C, Owotade, J F, Aregbesola, S B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd 01.09.2017
• Subjects: Adult; Amoxicillin - administration & dosage; Amoxicillin - pharmacology; Analysis; Anti-Bacterial Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antibiotic Prophylaxis - psychology; Antibiotics; beta-Lactamase Inhibitors - administration & dosage; beta-Lactamase Inhibitors - pharmacology; Care and treatment; Clavulanic Acid - administration & dosage; Clavulanic Acid - pharmacology; Dosage and administration; Female; Humans; Levofloxacin - administration & dosage; Levofloxacin - pharmacology; Male; Molar, Third - surgery; Oral Health; Postoperative Care; Preoperative Care; Quality of Life; Surgical Wound Infection - prevention & control; Surveys and Questionnaires; Temporomandibular joint; Tooth Extraction - adverse effects; Tooth Extraction - psychology; Tooth, Impacted - surgery; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1119-3077
• DOI: 10.4103/1119-3077.183235

To compare the impact of antibiotics on health-related quality of life (QoL) outcomes following third molar surgery. The study population consisted of 135 subjects that required surgical extraction of mandibular third molar under local anesthesia and met the inclusion criteria. The subjects were randomized into three study groups of 45 subjects each: Group A - extended amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (GlaxoSmithKline Beecham England), 1 gram pre-operatively and then 625 mg BD for 5 days Group B - prophylactic amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (GlaxoSmithKline Beecham England) 1 gram pre-operatively only, and Group C - prophylactic levofloxacin 1 gram pre-operatively only. Patients were assessed pre- and post-operatively on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 using the United Kingdom oral health-related QoL (OHRQoL) questionnaire. This study showed that surgical removal of impacted teeth exerted a negative influence on patient's QoL across various physical, social, and psychological aspects of life. Comparing the three groups, Group A showed a slightly better QoL score; although, there was no statistically significant difference among them. Studies have shown better clinical recovery following administration of antibiotics after third molar surgery. There was a significant deterioration in OHRQoL in the immediate postoperative period, particularly postoperative days 1 and 3 following third molar surgery. QoL was also observed to be slightly better in Group A than Groups B and C, although this was not statistically significant.