Correlation between Body Mass Index and the Occurrence of Postoperative Complications after Surgical Removal of the Lower Third Molar.
Magdalena Coga, Daniel Jerkovic, Lidia Gavic, Antonija Tadin, Kristian Jerkovic, Darko Macan
Author Information
Magdalena Coga: Study of Dental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Split, Croatia.
Daniel Jerkovic: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinical Hospital Centre Split, Study of Dental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia.
Lidia Gavic: Department for Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Study of Dental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia.
Antonija Tadin: Department of Restorative Dental Medicine and Endodontics, Study of Dental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia.
Kristian Jerkovic: Clinical Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinical Hospital Centre Split, Split, Croatia.
Darko Macan: Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, University of Zagreb, School of Dental Medicine, University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia.
Objectives: Swelling, pain and trismus after the surgical removal of the mandibular third molars are the most common and expected postoperative complications. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the association of those postoperative complications and BMI after surgical removal of the mandibular third molars. Material and methods: 84 patients who required the surgical removal of their lower third molar were enrolled in this study and were divided into 4 groups dependent on their BMI. Data were tested by one-way analysis of variance (Welch's ANOVA). The differences were tested by the intragroup using the Games-Howell test. Results: The effect of BMI on pain had a statistically significant difference within the first 24 postoperative hours: 4 hours (p=0.014), 6 hours (p=0.034, p=0.049), 12 hours (p= 0.00.P=0.023), and 24 hours (p=0.010). For swelling and trismus in the exception on first postoperative day between underweight and normal weight groups (p=0.026), and underweight and overweight groups (p=0.014) no statistically significant correlation was found. Conclusion: BMI has an impact on a patient's early postoperative recovery.
