Mandibular third molar surgery with primary closure and tube drain

The insertion of a small surgical tube drain with primary wound closure (drain group) was compared to a simple primary wound closure (no drain group) after removal of impacted third molars. Surgery was performed on 23 patients in a randomized cross-over fashion. The operation time was found to be significantly longer and mouth opening significantly wider in the immediate postoperative period in the drain group subjects as compared to the no drain group (P > or = 0.01). There was no significant difference in the severity of pain between the two groups. Facial swelling was found to be significantly less in the drain group subjects (P > or = 0.01). The number of patients with wound breakdown, edema, and bleeding was found to be less in the drain group than in the no drain group. Thus, the postoperative problems, in general, were less in the small surgical drain group as compared to the no drain group.