Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain (PPOP)
Published on: January 27, 2010
"Abscess" as a perioperative risk factor for paresthesia after third molar extraction under general anesthesia
Fulvia Costantinides1, Matteo Biasotto, Dario Gregori
1Dental Clinic, Clinical-University Department of Biomedicine, University of Trieste, Italy. f.costantinides@fmc.units.it
Objective:
To evaluate postextractive neurological complications after third molar extraction under general anesthesia and to identify correlations between the surgical procedure, the third molar-related pathology, and neurological involvement.
Study Design:
The clinical records of 183 patients were analyzed for a total of 408 third molars extracted at the Dental Clinic of Trieste (Italy). Individual effects of clinical data on the presence of paresthesia were evaluated by a logistic regression model.
Results:
Neurological involvement was observed in 13 patients (6.1%). No permanent inferior alveolar nerve damage was found (0%) and only 1 patient presented a permanent lesion of the ipsilateral lingual nerve (0.3%). Pell and Gregory classification and surgical difficulty were not associated with the incidence or gravity of neurological lesions (P = NS). Among the pathologies associated with third molars, only the variable "abscess" presented a significant correlation with paresthesia (OR 6.86; 95% CI 1.21-38.8; P = .029).
Conclusion:
The percentage of nerve injuries agrees with the literature data, inclusion class, and surgical technique seem not to influence paresthesia risk. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the role of infectious pathologies as a cofactor in the development of neurological lesions after oral surgery.
Related Concept Videos
General Anesthesia: Overview
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia