Effects of different polyvinylpyrrolidone iodine concentrations on trismus and swelling following third molar surgery

To compare the clinical efficacy of different povidone iodine concentrations for the management of postoperative pain and swelling following mandibular third molar surgery.

The randomised, prospective, double-blind and controlled study was conducted from October 2016 to January 2018 at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Biruni University, Istanbul, Turkey, and comprised individuals aged 18-30 years who underwent surgical removal of pathology-free completely unerrupted mandibular lower third molars. The participants were randomly assigned to four groups: Group I had saline-only controls, Group II was given 0.5% concentration of povidone iodine, Group III had 1% concentration of povidone iodine, and Group IV had 3% concentration of povidone iodine. Facial swelling and trismus were assessed on the 2nd and 7th postoperative days. Data was analysed using SPSS 22.

Of the 80 patients, 34(42.5%) were males and 46 (57.5%) were females with an overall mean age of 24.6±3.68 years. Each group had 20 (25%) subjects. All three concentrations of povidone iodine provided significant reduction in postoperative trismus compared to the controls. Trismus was less in Group III and Group IV compared to Group II up to 7 days after surgery.

Irrigation with 3% povidone iodine concentration was found to be more effective in reducing the level of facial swelling after impacted third molar surgery. (Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT03894722).