[Postoperative risk of bleeding after removal of third molars in healthy patients - a prospective observational...

Removal of third molars in healthy patients is considered a procedure with a low risk of bleeding. However, exactly how low the incidence of postoperative bleeding is remains unclear due to the heterogeneity of available studies. To determine the exact postoperative risk of bleeding after the removal of third molars in healthy patients, a prospective observational multicentre study was conducted. A total of 1,035 patients with complete follow-up was included. Of these, 329 patients reported subsequent bleeding, but did not consult their attending physician. A total of 15 patients visited the hospital, 8 of whom required minimally invasive (re)treatment. No hospitalizations were necessary. There was a large difference between the incidence of postoperative bleeding reported by patients and postoperative bleeding requiring clinical examination and/or treatment. To reduce this difference in future, patients should be given detailed information about what degree of postoperative bleeding is considered normal after removal of a third molar.