Comparative Efficacy of Knotless (Polyglyconate) Over Conventional (Poliglecaprone 25) Suture as a Wound Closure Material in Mandibular Impacted third Molar Surgery (MI3M)

Background: The third molar surgery is the most commonly practised minor oral surgery in dental clinic. Post-operatively the patient suffers from pain, swelling and trismus due to tissue injury during surgical procedure. After extraction of third molar, conventional sutures are used for primary closure of the wound. During the procedure the clinician get difficulties intra-orally related to knot placement, limitation of instrument accessibility and knot slippage. Barbed sutures are the knotless suture which help in adhering the tissue while suturing. Objectives: The primary focus of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of knotless suture as a wound closure agent in terms of post-operative pain, swelling, trismus, degree of wound healing and quality of life over the conventional one. Methodology: Two groups (study & control) with 20 individuals as subjects are considered for the study model. Systemically healthy individual with presence of at least one mesioangular or horizontal or vertically oriented mandibular impacted third molar(MI3M) with similar difficulty index, depth of, and relationship with ramus will be included in the study sample. Wound closure would be achieved by using 3-0 knotless suture using continuous sub-cuticular suturing technique for the study group and 3-0 conventional suture using simple interrupted suturing technique for control group respectively. Post-operatively measurement of pain, swelling, trismus, degree of wound healing and quality of life will be done. Expected Results: Knotless suture for closure of wound after MI3M surgery will be effective in reducing post-operative pain, edema and trismus and also helpful in better wound healing and improve quality of life. Conclusion: Use of knotless barbed suture after surgical removal of lower impacted third molar to simplify intra-oral suturing technique and to reduce post-operative pain, swelling, trimus and knot related complications would be a familiar and effective way which could be executed by a dental practitioner himself.