Abstract
This study aimed to assess the efficacy of several antiseptic ointments by evaluating the development of microorganisms on the suture material, the amount of post-surgical discomfort, and the degree to which the operated wounds heal after administration of various ointments. We studied 30 patients with impacted lower third molar who underwent trans alveolar extraction. Mersilk was selected for suturing of the operated site, and before suturing, three types of ointments, hexigel, neomycin, and metrogyl, were applied to the suture material. Patients were instructed not to use any antimicrobial toothpaste or mouthwash for one week. After seven days, the sutures were removed and sent for microbiological evaluation. The results showed a significant reduction in the number of microorganisms, postoperative discomfort, and swelling of the face postoperatively. Isolated bacteria showed minimum growth around the suture with hexigel ointment with CFUs/ml (≈22 × 108), and with Metrogyl gel showed the maximum amounts of CFUs/ml (≈61 × 108) followed up with Neomycin ointment group CFUs/ml (≈40×108). The p-value for Degree of Healing is greater than 0.05, with no significant difference between the three types of antiseptic ointment relating to Degree of Healing. The lowest pain score was due to Hexigel, and the maximum was found to be due to neomycin. As all types of suture material can lead to infection at the surgical wound, after surgical extraction, the use of antiseptic ointments like Hexigel that contains chlorhexidine before the suturing can give us better healing of the wound with less pain and swelling.
Keywords: Antiseptic Ointments, Bacterial Colonization, Mersilk, Third Molar, Tran’s alveolar Extraction.