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NCT Number: NCT07719270

Management of Postoperative Complications After Mandibular Third Molar Extraction Using Submucosal Triamcinolone Injection, Kinesiology Taping, and Standard Care

The surgical removal of impacted lower wisdom teeth (mandibular third molars) frequently leads to uncomfortable postoperative symptoms, including pain, facial swelling (edema), and restricted jaw movement (trismus). This study aims to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two different treatment strategies alongside standard care to reduce these complications.

A total of 60 patients undergoing surgical extraction will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: Group A will receive a local submucosal injection of 10mg Triamcinolone (a corticosteroid), Group B will have Kinesiology Tape applied to the face to enhance fluid drainage, and Group C will receive standard postoperative care alone. Patient recovery outcomes, including pain levels, facial swelling, and jaw mobility, will be monitored and measured at 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after the surgery. The study's primary objective is to determine if adding either a pharmacological injection or a mechanical tape significantly improves patient recovery compared to standard postoperative care alone.

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Key information

Conditions

Trismus Edema Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Neuromuscular Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Spasm

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Allama Iqbal Medical College & Jinnah Hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54590, Pakistan

Location contact

Kashaf Tariq, BDS, FCPS OMFS Resident

CONTACT

[email protected]

+923326043105

About this study

Surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars inevitably induces soft tissue trauma and bone disruption, triggering an acute inflammatory cascade primarily driven by arachidonic acid metabolites. This trial evaluates a head-to-head comparison between a localized pharmacological agent (corticosteroid) and a non-invasive mechanical intervention (kinesiology taping) to manage post-surgical sequelae.

Triamcinolone Acetonide is a potent synthetic corticosteroid designed to inhibit early-stage inflammatory pathways. Its submucosal administration aims to achieve high local drug concentration at the trauma site while minimizing systemic absorption risks. Conversely, Kinesiology Taping (KT) offers a non-pharmacological approach by microscopically lifting the skin over the masseteric region. This action is intended to reduce interstitial pressure, enhance local microcirculation, and accelerate lymphatic drainage.

This randomized controlled trial evaluates 60 eligible patients divided equally into three arms (n=20 per group):

  • Group A: 10 mg Submucosal Triamcinolone combined with standard postoperative care.
  • Group B: Face-applied Kinesiology Taping combined with standard postoperative care.
  • Group C: Standard postoperative care alone (Control). Clinical outcomes including pain severity, facial swelling, and trismus will be quantified across three distinct postoperative follow-up intervals: 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days. The gathered data will be analyzed to establish evidence-based guidance on optimizing patient comfort and recovery speed.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients aged 18-40 years
  • Surgical patients requiring extraction of Impacted mandibular third molars

Exclusion criteria

  • Known allergy to corticosteroids/adhesive
  • Systemic diseases
  • Active infection
  • Pregnancy and lactation
  • Surgical duration > 45 minutes.

Treatment and study plan

Triamcinolone Acetonide 10mg

Drug

Single local submucosal injection of 10mg Triamcinolone Acetonide administered immediately after third molar surgical extraction.

Kinesiology Taping

Device

Elastic kinesiology tape applied over the masseteric region immediately after surgery to assist in tissue decompression and lymphatic flow.

Standard Postoperative Care

Other

Standard pharmacological regimen (routine oral analgesics/antibiotics) and post-operative home-care instructions.

Primary outcomes

  1. Postoperative Pain Severity

    Time frame: Preoperatively (baseline), and at 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days postoperatively

    Postoperative pain severity will be assessed using a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "the worst pain imaginable

Secondary outcomes

  1. Postoperative Facial Swelling (Edema)

    Time frame: Preoperatively (baseline), and at 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days postoperatively

    Postoperative facial swelling will be assessed using quantitative facial measurements in millimeters (using standard landmark reference points like tragus to corner of the mouth, tragus to soft tissue pogonion, and lateral canthus to gonion)

  2. Postoperative Trismus

    Time frame: Preoperatively (baseline), and at 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days postoperatively.

    Postoperative trismus (limited mouth opening) will be quantified in millimeters by measuring the maximum interincisal distance at maximum active mouth opening using a digital vernier caliper

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Kashaf Tariq, BDS, FCPS OMFS Resident

CONTACT

[email protected]

+923326043105

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Allama Iqbal Medical College

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparative Analysis of Submucosal Triamcinolone Injection and Kinesiology Taping Along With Standard Care, and Standard Care Alone for the Management of Postoperative Complications in Patients After Surgical Mandibular 3rd Molar Extraction

Important dates

Study start
2027
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2029
First posted
Jul 22, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 22, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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