[Evaluation of postoperative mucosa and skin temperature after surgery for impacted third molar]

Surgery for impacted third molar is often characterized, in the postoperative period, by pain, trismus and swelling. The study evaluates temperature variations of mucosa and skin after application of ice packs, in three different modalities, to the region overlying the surgical site. The goal was to identify any correlation between variations of temperature and postoperative clinical symptoms. For this purpose we selected 54 patients programmed for impacted third molar surgery. The patients were divided into three groups of 18. Time and frequency of application of the ice pack varied in the three groups; 5'/30' (group 1); 10'/60' (group 2); 20'/60' (group 3). During the four hours following surgery, temperatures of mucosa and of skin at the surgical site were measured with high-precision thermocouples, maximum response 5". The results indicate that application of an ice pack for 5'/30' or for 10'/60' controls the temperature of the mucosa post-surgery more effectively, and that the duration of surgery appears not to influence temperature variations. In the postoperative phase we recommend a rational application of ice packs appropriate to the constitution of each patient.