Efficacy of Lornoxicam as a Pre-emptive Analgesic in Mandibular Third Molar Surgery – A Comparative Study

Abstract Introduction: The most common complication following third molar surgery is pain. The purpose of the study is to determine the efficacy of lornoxicam as a preventive analgesic in patients undergoing surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. Materials and Methods: This study included 26 participants aged 18–28 years with bilateral symmetrical third molars. Group A, the control group, received lornoxicam 8 mg 1 h after surgery, whereas Group B, the study group, received lornoxicam 8 mg 1 h before surgery. All patients were evaluated for pain at the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 12th post-operative hours. The number of rescue analgesics taken within 24 h of the procedure, as well as the first occurrence of pain postoperatively, was recorded and analysed. Results: Using the Mann–Whitney U-test and Friedman’s analysis, the resulting data were statistically analysed. When Group B was compared to Group A, there was a significant difference in pain reduction levels in the immediate post-operative hours. When compared to Group A, Group B had a lower need for rescue analgesics within the first 24 h postoperatively. Discussion: Following mandibular third molar surgery, pre-emptive use of lornoxicam is effective in reducing post-operative pain and reducing the need for rescue analgesic consumption.