IADR Abstract Archives
Third molar surgical outcomes: the influence of psychosocial characteristics
Objectives: To investigate psychosocial characteristics such as personality, and its influence on the choice of anaesthesia, oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and compare surgical outcomes in terms of satisfaction and overall disruption to everyday activities.
Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used, with a clinical convenience sample of patients requiring the removal of two mandibular third molar teeth. Each participant was consulted by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or one of their surgical trainees, and they were given a free choice between IV sedation and GA for their operation. Participants completed a questionnaire before surgery and again 10-14 days afterwards. Data collected before surgery included baseline sociodemographic characteristics, OHRQoL, anxiety, aspects of personality (positive and negative emotionality), history of pain and qualitative data on participant's reasons for their choice of anaesthesia. Data collected after surgery included the severity of pain, time taken for recovery, OHRQoL, and satisfaction with the surgery.
Results: Of the 157 patients enrolled, 142 participants (90.1%) completed the final questionnaire. 73 (51.4%) chose to have the operation under IV sedation and 69 (49.4%) underwent GA. OHRQoL worsened in the post-operative period in both IV and GA groups. Patients opting for GA scored more highly at baseline on negative effectivity and reported taking more days off before returning to normal activities, as well as a higher incidence of sore throat and nausea. Irrespective of anaesthesia method, patients scoring higher on negative affectivity took more days off.
Conclusions: Patients with negative affectivity opt for their operation to be carried out under GA but this results in more post-operative side-effects and days off.
Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used, with a clinical convenience sample of patients requiring the removal of two mandibular third molar teeth. Each participant was consulted by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or one of their surgical trainees, and they were given a free choice between IV sedation and GA for their operation. Participants completed a questionnaire before surgery and again 10-14 days afterwards. Data collected before surgery included baseline sociodemographic characteristics, OHRQoL, anxiety, aspects of personality (positive and negative emotionality), history of pain and qualitative data on participant's reasons for their choice of anaesthesia. Data collected after surgery included the severity of pain, time taken for recovery, OHRQoL, and satisfaction with the surgery.
Results: Of the 157 patients enrolled, 142 participants (90.1%) completed the final questionnaire. 73 (51.4%) chose to have the operation under IV sedation and 69 (49.4%) underwent GA. OHRQoL worsened in the post-operative period in both IV and GA groups. Patients opting for GA scored more highly at baseline on negative effectivity and reported taking more days off before returning to normal activities, as well as a higher incidence of sore throat and nausea. Irrespective of anaesthesia method, patients scoring higher on negative affectivity took more days off.
Conclusions: Patients with negative affectivity opt for their operation to be carried out under GA but this results in more post-operative side-effects and days off.