Effectiveness of Combination Intravenous Ibuprofen and Paracetamol on the Quality of Analgesia after a Third Molar Odontectomy – A Comparative Study

Odontectomy is a surgical extraction procedure performed to remove an impacted tooth, which often leads to local inflammation and postoperative complications. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is closely associated with the pathophysiology of inflammation and pain. Ibuprofen and paracetamol act on different pain stages, strengthening the pain processing barrier. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a combination of intravenous ibuprofen and paracetamol in comparison to intravenous paracetamol alone on pain intensity and IL-6 levels after a third molar odontectomy. This comparative clinical study involved 38 patients undergoing odontectomy for third molars, who were divided into two groups of postoperative analgesics. Group A received intravenous ibuprofen (400 mg) and intravenous paracetamol (1,000 mg), while Group B received intravenous paracetamol (1,000 mg). Pain scores were evaluated using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and IL-6 levels were assessed before the surgery and 24 hours after the procedure. The average pain score was lower in the combination group, even though there was no statistically significant difference in pain levels between the combination group and the paracetamol group (P > 0.05). VAS scores increased two hours following surgery (Group A = 22, Group B = 32) before decreasing eight hours later (Group A = 19, Group B = 22). The IL-6 levels significantly differed between the group receiving intravenous ibuprofen and paracetamol and the group receiving intravenous paracetamol alone (P < 0.05). For controlling inflammation and pain following a third molar odontectomy, the combination of intravenous ibuprofen and paracetamol demonstrated superior analgesic efficacy compared to intravenous paracetamol alone. It represents the most recent choice for managing postoperative pain and inflammation in the oral and maxillofacial region.