Etodolac versus dexamethasone effect in reduction of postoperative symptoms following surgical endodontic treatment: A double-blind study

Objective. The purpose of this prospective study was to analyze the effect of etodolac versus dexamethasone in reducing postoperative pain in patients who had surgical endodontic treatment using a strict protocol. Study design. The study consisted of 90 patients (38 males and 52 females) referred for surgical endodontic treatment. All procedures were performed using a microsurgical technique with a strict protocol. Patients were randomly premedicated with placebo or with one of both protocols: either a single dose of oral dexamethasone, 8 mg, preoperatively and 2 single doses, 4 mg, 1 and 2 days postoperatively, or a single dose of etodolac, 600 mg, and 2 single doses, 600 mg, 1 and 2 days postoperatively. Pain was recorded at 8, 24, and 48 hours, as well as 7 days postoperatively, on a 1-10 scale. The influence of different variables on postoperative sequelae was analyzed. Results. On a 1-10 scale, the mean values of pain report recorded were 3.8 +/- 2.9 (8 hours postoperatively), 2.93 2.4 (24 hours), 2.31 +/- 2.2 (48 hours), and 1.4 +/- 0.9 (7 days postoperatively). One day postoperatively, 41.8% of the patients reported no or very mild pain (score 1 or 2), whereas after 7 days, 87.9% reported no or very mild pain (score 1 or 2). Both etodolac and dexamethasone had a significant effect of reducing postoperative pain in patients who had surgical endodontic procedure compared with placebo (P <= .001). Conclusion. Postoperative pain following endodontic surgical treatment is not uncommon. Etodolac as well as dexamethasone might serve as a pain relief measure for postoperative pain in these patients.