EFFECT OF VARIOUS ROUTES OF ADMINISTRATION OF METHYL PREDNISOLONE ON SWELLING, TRISMUS AND PAIN IN IMPACTED MANDIBULAR THIRD MOLAR SURGERY.

Aim: The post-surgical sequelae like swelling, trismus and pain are often encountered when impacted mandibular third molars are extracted surgically. The study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of three specific routes of administration of 20 mg methylprednisolone as a single dose with respect to control group, considering the above mentioned complications. Methods: This study included 12 patients in each group (total 48 patients) undergoing surgical extraction with respect to mandibular third molar. All patients were randomly assigned among four groups as: Group I (control; no steroids), Group II (Intramuscular Injection of steroids). Group III (Intra venous injection) and Group IV (oral tablets).In group II, patients were administered 20mg methyl prednisolone acetate in masseter muscle through intra-oral approach. In group III, intra venous administration was done by injecting 20 mg methylprednisolone succinate. Oral administration of methyl prednisolone Tab 20 mg was done in group IV while group I received no steroids. Apart from control group, each group was administered 20 mg of drug via above mentioned different routes one hour preoperatively as a single dose. All three parameters were assessed and tabulated. Results: The patients who were administered methylprednisolone preoperatively, showed superior effects with respect to swelling, trismus and pain than control group. Conclusion: The study concluded that pre-operative administration of 20 mg of methylprednisolone via any route is found to be more effective than postoperative administration however intramuscular route seems to be more efficient than other routes.