LEVELS OF INFLAMMATORY BLOOD PARAMETERS FOLLOWING THIRD MOLAR SURGERY IN PATIENTS VISITING AN ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY DEPARTMENT

Abstract

Objectives: Third molar surgery is the most common procedure done by oral and maxillofacial (OMF) surgeons. The C-reactive protein levels (CRP); erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and total leukocyte count (TLC) were examined in patients who underwent impacted third molar surgery. The pain and swelling before and after surgery were also assessed.

Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the OMF Surgery unit of Peshawar Dental College (PDC), Peshawar between September 2023 and March 2024. A total of 100 subjects based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected for the study. Standard laboratory procedures were used to measure CRP, ESR, and TLC in the blood samples. Basic Statistical Methods were applied to analyze the data.

Results: The CRP level significantly increased and peaked 48 hours after surgery (P < 0.001). The ESR level showed an upward trend after the operation with a peak level on the seventh day (P < 0.001). Whereas the TLC did not increase significantly with the third molar surgery (p = 0.075). The preoperative CRP levels showed a positive correlation with post-operative CRP levels (p < 0.05) and symptoms of discomfort (pain and swelling). The different ages, genders, and types/locations of the impacted third molars did not affect the inflammatory blood parameters.

Conclusions: CRP and ESR were found to be better indicators of inflammation and infection in comparison to TLC, pain, and swelling. As the serum CRP achieved its peak level at a faster rate hence was found to be the best marker for detecting postoperative infections.