Postoperative pain and edema control following different protocols of preemptive analgesia in the surgical removal of impacted third molars: a triple-blind parallel randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial

Abstract Purpose This randomized controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate the preemptive effects of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, nimesulide or dexamethasone on postoperative pain and edema in the surgical removal of impacted third molars. Materials and Methods Participants underwent bilateral surgeries at 2 different times and were randomly given the test drug or placebo (split-mouth). Postoperative pain, edema and rescue medication were evaluated at different times. Study power was >80% for the observed effect size in the crossover repeated measures design. Differences between test drug and placebo were the response variable. Generalized Estimation Equation models were adjusted for each outcome. Results Sample comprised 5 groups (n=20 each). Ibuprofen and nimesulide showed higher overall effects on pain scores over time, with no differences between them (p=0.557). Acetaminophen showed significantly lower overall effects in edema control over time, when compared to other test drugs, that showed similar effects. Lower quantity of rescue medication were also observed for ibuprofen and nimesulide, with no differences between them (p=0.999). Conclusion: Ibuprofen and nimesulide showed beneficial overall preemptive effects. Hence, in the decision-making process for preemptive analgesia in impacted third molar surgeries, ibuprofen and nimesulide should be considered on a case-by-case basis as the drugs of choice.