Post-operative pain study after dental surgery: 1 st Part : Post-operative pain's study

SUMMARY In order to evaluate pain’s features following dental extraction, a prospective study involving 132 patients was performed. After standardized analgesic administration to each patient (acetaminophen for simple dental extractions, association acetaminophen/dextropropoxyphen or codeine for surgical dental extractions), the pain was assessed by visual analogic scale (VAS) during the 7 following days. The mean pain’profile was characterized by a pain pick during the first day (VAS=31.61 mm ± 2.18) and then by a progressive decrease during 6 next days (VAS=8.27 mm ± 1.50 at day 6). However, regarding the pain intensity, 8 pain’s profiles were found by cluster analysis. Successful pain management (pain remission or slight pain) was observed in 81% of patients following standardized prescription.