Title : Evaluation of postoperative analgesic effect of auricular acupuncture therapy after surgical extraction of mandibular third molar
Abstract:
Background: Postoperative pain following surgical extraction of mandibular third molar (MTM) is a common occurrence. This study aimed to evaluate the analgesic effectiveness of auricular acupuncture (AA) in postoperative pain management following surgical extraction of MTM.
Objectives and Methods: The acupoint combination used included TF4, AH6a, TG2, LO1, and LO3 points. Phase one was involved a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial with 66 healthy volunteers. Based on the distribution of the fifth cranial nerve, this phase determine the pain threshold areas on the face. Phase two involved a split-mouth, double-blind intervention study with 60 patients undergoing two MTM surgical extraction sections. The study assessed pain reduction using the VAS score and recorded the usage of paracetamol. Adverse effects of acupuncture were also evaluated.
Results: In phase one, there was a significant increase in pain thresholds on the face in the AA at locations V1, V2, and V3 bilaterally (p<0.05). In phase two, the VAS scores and the amount of paracetamol used at various postoperative time points were significantly lower in the AA group (p<0.01). No adverse effects were reported.
Conclusion: Auricular acupuncture at TF4, AH6a, TG2, LO1, and LO3 points is safe and highly effective in reducing postoperative pain following MTM surgical extraction.
