Comparison of the Efficacy of Corticosteroids With Enzymatic Agents in the Postoperative Sequelae for Lower Third Molar Surgery: A Prospective Study.

Introduction The presence of impacted third molars is a prevalent problem associated with varying degrees of difficulty in extraction and potential consequences, including pain, swelling, and trismus. According to studies, enzymatic combinations, such as bromelain, rutoside, trypsin, and serratiopeptidase, are known to have a very promising role in reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing. This study compared natural enzymatic agents with corticosteroids for postoperative pain, swelling, and trismus in the impacted lower third molar surgery. Objectives The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of prednisolone, a combination of trypsin, chymotrypsin, bromelain, rutoside, and papain, and serratiopeptidase in the postoperative sequelae after surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. The primary objective was to assess the difference in swelling between the three groups. The secondary objectives were to assess the difference in postoperative pain and trismus between the three groups. Materials and methods A total of 150 patients who presented to the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery for surgical removal of an impacted mandibular third molar with a moderately difficult score of 5-7 in the Pederson difficulty index were chosen for a prospective study. Patients were categorized into three groups based on the postoperative drug prescribed. In group 1, prednisolone 10 mg was prescribed; in group 2, a combination of trypsin, chymotrypsin, bromelain, rutoside, and papain was prescribed; and in group 3, serratiopeptidase 15 mg was prescribed. All patients were prescribed a combination drug of aceclofenac 100 mg and paracetamol 325 mg twice daily as a standard analgesic. Swelling, pain, and trismus in each patient were recorded preoperatively and at postoperative day one and day seven. The Friedman test was employed to evaluate the variation in pain levels within the groups over time, while the Kruskal-Wallis test was utilized to investigate the disparity in pain levels between the groups. The difference in swelling and trismus within the groups across the timeline was measured by repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the difference in swelling and trismus between the groups was measured by one-way ANOVA. A p-value below 0.05 was deemed to be statistically significant. Results Group 1 showed less swelling, pain, and trismus on both postoperative day one and day seven compared to group 2 and group 3, which was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). It was found that swelling, pain, and trismus measurements in postoperative day one and day seven in group 2 were comparatively less than in group 3. Neither group demonstrated any side effects or other complications during the follow-up period. Conclusion It can be concluded that the use of prednisolone postoperatively following surgical removal of the mandibular third molar provided better relief with regard to pain, trismus, and swelling compared to the enzymatic agents. Among enzymatic agents, a combination of trypsin, chymotrypsin, bromelain, rutoside, and papain was better in reducing pain, trismus, and swelling than serratiopeptidase drug.