Short-term Haematological Parameters Following Surgical Removal of Mandibular Third Molars with Different Doses of Methylprednisolone Compared with Placebo. A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of a single intraoperative injection of methylprednisolone on short-term haematological parameters following surgical removal of mandibular third molars. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients with indications for surgical removal of bilateral impacted mandibular third molars were included in a randomized, split-mouth and double-blinded study design. Each molar were randomly allocated into one of following four groups: 20 mg methylprednisolone, 30 mg methylprednisolone, 40 mg methylprednisolone and placebo. Peripheral blood samples were obtained before and three days after surgery. Haematological parameters involving haemoglobin, white blood cell count and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated and expressed as mean changes. Level of significance was 0.05. Furthermore, outcomes were correlated for age, sex, smoking and time of surgery. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in postoperative haematological parameters with different doses of methylprednisolone compared with placebo. Peripheral blood samples revealed decreased level of haemoglobin and increased level of leucocytes and CRP in each group. Smokers displayed a significant lower level of haemoglobin and CRP compared with non-smokers (P < 0.05) and level of eosinophils decreased significantly with increasing age (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that a single intraoperative injection of methylprednisolone seems not to cause suppression of short-term haematological parameters compared with placebo following surgical removal of mandibular third molars.