Analgesic Efficacy of Etoricoxib following Third Molar Surgery: A Meta-analysis

Comparing pre- and postoperative etoricoxib administration versus only postoperative on third molar extraction sequelae and oral health quality of life: a prospective quasi-experimental study

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to compare the impact of pre- and postoperative etoricoxib administration versus only postoperative on third molar extraction sequelae and oral health quality of life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective quasi experimental study involved 56 patients, divided into a study group receiving preemptive etoricoxib 120 mg before surgery and postoperative etoricoxib 120 mg (n = 28), and a control group receiving preemptive placebo before surgery and postoperative etoricoxib 120 mg (n = 28). Follow-up assessments were conducted at 3- and 7-days post-surgery, recording swelling, trismus, and adverse events. Patients rated perceived pain using the visual analog scale (VAS) and completed an oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) questionnaire at specified intervals. Statistical analysis employed non-parametric tests (i.e., the Mann-Whitney test, Friedman test, and Wilcoxon sign test) with P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Significantly lower VAS scores were reported in the study group throughout the follow-up period (P < 0.05). Pharmacological protocol did not have a significant impact on postoperative edema and trismus (P > 0.05). However, double etoricoxib intake significantly improved postoperative quality of life on day 3 after surgery (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pre- and postoperative etoricoxib 120 mg intake in third molar surgery reduced postoperative pain and enhanced postoperative quality of life on day 3 after surgery. Importantly, it was equally effective in managing swelling and trismus compared to exclusive postoperative intake.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Preemptive etoricoxib use may decrease patient discomfort following impacted mandibular third molar extraction.

Efficacy and safety of ibuprofen gargle for postoperative pain after mandibular third molar extraction: A phase II, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized crossover trial

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to evaluate the postoperative efficacy and safety of using an ibuprofen gargle as a pain management strategy for patients who have undergone mandibular third molar extraction. We also ensured that the quality of treatment was not compromised throughout the study.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio into two groups: the ibuprofen-placebo (IP) group and the placebo-ibuprofen (PI) group. On postoperative Day (POD) 1, the IP group initiated ibuprofen administration, while the PI group started taking placebo. On POD 2, the IP group switched to using placebo, whereas the PI group switched to ibuprofen. From PODs 3-5, both groups were prescribed ibuprofen gargle. The primary endpoint was within-subject visual analog scale (VAS) score before and 5 min after the first use of the ibuprofen or placebo gargle on PODs 1 and 2 (ΔVAS5_ibuprofen  - ΔVAS5_placebo ). The incidence and severity of adverse events were assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0 and a subjective rating scale.

RESULTS

This study enrolled 40 patients. The within-subject VAS5 of the IP and PI groups were 1.25 ± 12.0 and -5.26 ± 8.93 mm, respectively. The treatment effect of ibuprofen gargle was -2.01 ± 10.62 mm (p = .246). None of the patients in each group presented with serious adverse events or clinically significant complications (including dry sockets) after extraction. Transient adverse events, such as throat tingling and oral discomfort (grade 1), were observed in each group.

CONCLUSION

Ibuprofen gargle was safe but did not provide significant pain relief when used after mandibular third molar extraction.

Preemptive effects of etoricoxib, acetaminophen, nimesulide, and ibuprofen on postoperative pain management after single-implant surgery: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

There is insufficient evidence for pain control in preemptive analgesia (PA) after dental implant surgery, signaling the need for further studies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PA in single dental implant surgeries (SDIS), seeking to identify among the etoricoxib (ETOR), ibuprofen (IBU), nimesulide (NIME), and acetaminophen (ACETA)], which one has the higher efficacy effectiveness in relieving postoperative pain and reducing the use of rescue medication compared to placebo.

METHODS

In this triple-blind, parallel, randomized controlled clinical trial, 135 individuals with a mean age of 57.6 years (±11.7), both genders, were randomly divided into five groups according to the test drug: I-PLACEBO; II-IBU (600 mg); III-NIME (100 mg); IV-ACETA (750 mg); and V-ETOR (90 mg). The occurrence, duration, and intensity of pain were analyzed using the Chi-square, Fisher's exact and ANOVA tests, and the generalized estimating equation models, when appropriate.

RESULTS

Test drugs provided a reduction in postoperative pain scores and lower use of rescue medication when compared to placebo. The ETOR group presented significantly lower pain scores, when compared to other active treatments. The IBU group showed the highest mean number of rescue medication used.

CONCLUSIONS

All test drugs provided a beneficial preemptive effect demonstrated by the reduced postoperative pain and reduced use of rescue medication. The ETOR group presented lower pain scores, and the IBU group showed the highest mean number of rescue medication used among the test groups.

Comparison of preemptive etoricoxib and dexamethasone in third molar surgery - a randomized controlled clinical trial of patient-reported and clinical outcomes

OBJECTIVES

To compare preemptive single-dose etoricoxib and dexamethasone on postoperative patient satisfaction (pPS) and clinical parameters following the impacted mandibular third molar (IMTM) extraction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A parallel-group, triple-blinded, controlled clinical study included a total of 90 patients (n = 30), randomized to receive: etoricoxib 90 mg, dexamethasone 4 mg, or no premedication (control group) 1 h before surgery. Paracetamol 500 mg was prescribed as rescue medication (RM). Check-ups were scheduled at 24 h, 48 h, and day 7 post-surgery. At each time point, pPS was assessed using the 5-point Likert scale. RM parameters, swelling, trismus, and the occurrence of adverse events were also recorded, and patients were instructed to rate the perceived pain on Visual Analogue Scale.

RESULTS

In all the follow-up periods, data indicated significantly higher pPS scores in the preemptive medication groups when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Both regimens delayed the first RM intake when compared to controls. In the etoricoxib group, a significantly lower total RM consumption was observed (p < 0.05). Dexamethasone significantly decreased swelling at each check-up and increased mouth opening at day 7 after the surgery (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Preemptive etoricoxib and dexamethasone elevate pPS after IMTM surgery. Etoricoxib improves RM parameters, while dexamethasone ameliorates the patient's postoperative functional ability.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Preemptive etoricoxib and dexamethasone use may decrease patients' discomfort following the impacted mandibular third molar extraction.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05791721. Date of Registration: 28/03/2023 (retrospectively registered).

Dexamethasone Increases the Anesthetic Success in Patients with Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis: A Meta-Analysis

Inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) has a high failure rate in subjects with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP). It has been suggested that drugs with anti-inflammatory activity could improve the efficacy of the anesthetic used for IANB. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of dexamethasone on the success of dental anesthesia in patients with SIP. An information search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar. The risk of bias of the included studies was evaluated with the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk-of-bias tool. The anesthetic success rate, pain intensity (VAS), and adverse effects were extracted. Data were analyzed using the Mantel−Haenszel test and odds ratio or the inverse variance and standardized mean difference. Dexamethasone increased the anesthetic success in comparison with placebo (n = 502; p < 0.001; OR = 2.59; 95% CIs: 1.46 to 4.59). Moreover, patients who were given dexamethasone had lower pain scores at 6 h (n = 302; p < 0.001; MD= −1.43; 95% CIs: −2.28 to −0.58), 12 h (n = 302; p < 0.0001; MD = −1.65; 95% CIs: −2.39 to −0.92), and 24 h (n = 302; p < 0.0008; MD = −1.27; 95% CIs: −2.01 to −0.53) when compared with placebo. In conclusion, the systemic administration of dexamethasone increases the anesthetic success rate and improves pain management in patients with SIP.

Efficacy of ibuprofen gargle for postoperative pain after mandibular third molar extraction: protocol for a phase II, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized crossover trial

Background

Extraction of mandibular third molars is one of the most commonly performed oral surgical procedures, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for pain management. Oral NSAIDs are associated with adverse events such as gastrointestinal disorders, renal and hepatic dysfunction, and platelet dysfunction. Topical analgesics have been proposed as alternatives to oral and injectable medications to safely improve postoperative pain relief. We will conduct a single-center, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized crossover trial to assess the pain-relieving effect of an ibuprofen-containing gargle in patients undergoing extraction of mandibular third molars when compared with a placebo gargle.

Objective

This will be the first clinical study to compare the efficacy of an ibuprofen gargle with that of a placebo for relieving postoperative pain in addition to loxoprofen after mandibular third molar extraction.

Methods

This study will be performed at Kobe University Hospital. Participants (N=40) will be randomized equally to 1 of 2 groups. The ibuprofen-placebo group will receive an ibuprofen gargle on postoperative day (POD) 1 and a placebo gargle on POD 2. The placebo-ibuprofen group will receive a placebo gargle on POD 1 and an ibuprofen gargle on POD 2. Both groups will receive ibuprofen gargles on PODs 3-5 at least once daily. The primary objective is to estimate the within-subject difference on a visual analog scale (VAS) before and 5 minutes after using the ibuprofen or placebo gargle on PODs 1 and 2. The secondary objectives are to estimate the within-subject differences in ΔVAS before and 15 minutes after using the ibuprofen or placebo gargle on PODs 1 and 2, ΔVAS before and 5 or 15 minutes after using the ibuprofen gargle on PODs 3-5, overall efficacy (self-completion, 5 scales) on PODs 1-5, daily frequency of use (ibuprofen or placebo gargle and analgesics) on PODs 1-7, and the occurrence of adverse events.

Results

The Certified Review Board of Kobe University approved the study. The intervention was implemented in May 2021. For the primary analysis, we will calculate the mean and SD of ΔVAS₅ on PODs 1 and 2 and the within-study difference in ΔVAS₅. The treatment effect will be estimated by dividing the mean ΔVAS₅ in the within-subject difference by 2 and calculating the P value using an unpaired t test. For the secondary analysis, we will calculate the mean and SD of ΔVAS₁₅ on PODs 1 and 2 and the within-study difference in ΔVAS₁₅. The treatment effect will be estimated as in the primary analysis.

Conclusions

This trial will provide exploratory evidence of the efficacy and safety of an ibuprofen gargle for pain reduction after mandibular third molar extraction.

Trial Registration

Japan Registry of Clinical Trials jRCTs051210022; https://tinyurl.com/39ej23zu

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/35533