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Prophylactic antibiotics in third molar surgery
British Journal of Oral and M&Nofacial Surgery (1990) 28,212 Surgeons 0 1990 The British Association of Oral and Maxikfacial
Letter to the Editor PROPHYLACTIC SURGERY
ANTIBIOTICS
IN THIRD
References
MOLAR
Happonen, R. P., Backstrom, A. C. & Ylipaavlniemi, P. (1990). Prophylactic use of phenoxymethylpenicillin and tinidazole in mandibular third molar surgery: a comparative placebo controlled clinical trial. British Journal of Oral and
Sir, I read with interest the paper by Happonen et al. which appeared in the February issue of this Journal and whilst appreciating their exploration of the role of prophylactic antibiotics in third molar surgery, feel that the conclusion that neither tinidazole nor penicillin has any advantage over placebo, as suggested by their study, is not necessarily the case. An equally valid explanation is that a study with limited numbers in each group (44;47;45) and an ‘infection’ rate of around 10% simply did not have the power to identify statistically significant differences. This problem pervades all such studies. It is a little surprising that the authors should choose to submit to and be published in a British journal without referring to published work in the same field, albeit with entirely different conclusions, by British researchers (Rood & Murgatroyd, 1979; Kaziro, 1984; Mitchell, 1986; Mitchell & Morris, 1987). I would suggest a more appropriate verdict would be ‘not proven’.
Maxillofacial Surgery, 28, 12.
Kaziro, G. S. N. (1984). Metronidazole and arnica montanana in prevention of post-surgical complications: a comparative placebo controlled trial. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 22, 42.
Mitchell, D. A. (1986). A controlled clinical trial of prophylactic tinidazole for chemoprophylaxis in third molar surgery. British Dental Journal,
160, 284.
Mitchell, D. A. & Morris, T. A. (1987). Tinidazole or pivampicillin in third molar surgery. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 16, 171.
Rood, J. P. & Murgatroyd, J. (1979). Metronidazole in the prevention of ‘dry socket’. British Journal of Oral Surgery, 17. 62.
D. A. Mitchell MB, BS, BDS, FDSRCPS Sunderland
212
Letter to the Editor PROPHYLACTIC SURGERY
ANTIBIOTICS
IN THIRD
References
MOLAR
Happonen, R. P., Backstrom, A. C. & Ylipaavlniemi, P. (1990). Prophylactic use of phenoxymethylpenicillin and tinidazole in mandibular third molar surgery: a comparative placebo controlled clinical trial. British Journal of Oral and
Sir, I read with interest the paper by Happonen et al. which appeared in the February issue of this Journal and whilst appreciating their exploration of the role of prophylactic antibiotics in third molar surgery, feel that the conclusion that neither tinidazole nor penicillin has any advantage over placebo, as suggested by their study, is not necessarily the case. An equally valid explanation is that a study with limited numbers in each group (44;47;45) and an ‘infection’ rate of around 10% simply did not have the power to identify statistically significant differences. This problem pervades all such studies. It is a little surprising that the authors should choose to submit to and be published in a British journal without referring to published work in the same field, albeit with entirely different conclusions, by British researchers (Rood & Murgatroyd, 1979; Kaziro, 1984; Mitchell, 1986; Mitchell & Morris, 1987). I would suggest a more appropriate verdict would be ‘not proven’.
Maxillofacial Surgery, 28, 12.
Kaziro, G. S. N. (1984). Metronidazole and arnica montanana in prevention of post-surgical complications: a comparative placebo controlled trial. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 22, 42.
Mitchell, D. A. (1986). A controlled clinical trial of prophylactic tinidazole for chemoprophylaxis in third molar surgery. British Dental Journal,
160, 284.
Mitchell, D. A. & Morris, T. A. (1987). Tinidazole or pivampicillin in third molar surgery. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 16, 171.
Rood, J. P. & Murgatroyd, J. (1979). Metronidazole in the prevention of ‘dry socket’. British Journal of Oral Surgery, 17. 62.
D. A. Mitchell MB, BS, BDS, FDSRCPS Sunderland
212