Comparative Evaluation Of Tapentadol And Tramadol In Reducing Pain Mandibular Third Molar Surgery

Abstract Objective: This study was carried out to compare the analgesic efficiency of Tapentadol against Tramadol after surgical removal of mandibular third molar. Methods: This was a prospective, triple-blind, split mouth, cross-over study conducted on 24 patients requiring bilateral surgical removal of mandibular third molar with similar difficulty index under local anesthesia. Group A [n=24] represented Tapentadol and Group B [n=24] represented Tramadol. Pain was the outcome assessor which was recorded using the Visual Analogue Scale [VAS 0-10] on post-operative day 1 [POD1] and post-operative day 5 [POD5] respectively. 48 extraction sites were randomly assigned by simple randomization with a 1:1 allocation ratio to Tapentadol or Tramadol. The operator, co-investigator who recorded the VAS scores and the statistician were blinded. The patient enrollment and allotment was done independently by another researcher. Results: VAS score for pain on POD1 was significantly lesser in Group A than Group B [P < 0.0001]. VAS score on POD5 showed no significant difference [P = 0.14]. The number of rescue medications required were more in Group B. No significant harm or unintended effects were observed in any of the groups at the end of the study. Conclusion: This study showed that Tapentadol has better analgesic effect when compared with Tramadol after surgical removal of mandibular third removal. Clinical Relevance: Hence, tapentadol could be considered as drug of choice for pain control after mandibular third molar surgery.