A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF WARDS INCISION AND COMMA‑SHAPED INCISION INMANDIBULAR IMPACTED THIRD MOLAR EXTRACTION

Background: Mandibular third molars impactions is the most commonly encountered condition. The present study was conducted to compare standard Ward‟s incision and comma‑shaped incision and their effect on post operative complication in mandibular impacted third molar extraction. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted on 68 patients with mandibular impacted third molar. Patients were divided into 2 groups of 34 each. In group I patients, a comma incision was made and in group II patients, a standard Ward‟s incision was made to reflect the mucoperiosteal flap. Patients were evaluated for pain scores, trismus, wound healing recorded immediately and on the postoperative days 1, 3, and 7. Results: The mean VAS before procedure in group I was 8.5, in group II was 8.4, immediately after procedure in group I was 8.2 and in group II was 8.0, 1 day in group I was 3.2 and in group II was 6.4, 3 day in group I was 2.3 and in group II was 4.8, on 7 day in group I was 1.2 and in group II was 2.6. The mean swelling before procedure (cm) in group I was 130, in group II was 132, immediately after procedure in group I was 134 and in group II was 136, 1 day in group I was 135 and in group II was 137, 3 day in group I was 132 and in group II was 135, on 7 day in group I was 129 and in group II was 132. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). The mean trismus before treatment in group I was 38 in group I and 40 in group II, immediate after treatment was 26 in group I and 22 in group II, after 1 day was 32 in group I and 26 in group II, after 3 days was 36 in group I and 32 in group II and after 7 days was 38 in group I and 37 in group II. Satisfactory results were seen 28 in group I and 22 in group II and unsatisfactory 6 in group I and 12 in group II. There was significant difference in both groups (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Authors found that comma incision resulted in less post operative complications as compared to Ward‟s incision.