Comparative efficacy of nimesulide and ketoprofen on inflammatory events in third molar surgery: a split-mouth, prospective, randomized, double-blind study

This study aimed to compare the effect of nimesulide and ketoprofen on inflammatory parameters related to the surgical removal of third molars. A split-mouth, prospective, randomized, double-blind study was conducted in patients undergoing removal of four third molars. Eighteen eligible patients were allocated to one of two groups to receive treatment two times a day with either ketoprofen 100 mg or nimesulide 100 mg for a period of 3 days. The rescue medication intake (number) and pain intensity were evaluated at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h, and at 7 days postoperatively. Swelling and maximum mouth opening were evaluated at 24 h, 72 h, and 7 days postoperatively. The peak pain score occurred at 6 h after surgery in the nimesulide group and at 12 h in the ketoprofen group. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups, although pain relief was observed after 48 h in the nimesulide group and after 7 days in the ketoprofen group. For each group, there was a statically significant difference in pain scores among the studied periods (P < 0.0001). None of the patients required rescue medication. There was a statistically significant difference in maximum mouth opening between the preoperative and postoperative periods (P < 0.0001). Ketoprofen and nimesulide were effective at controlling pain, swelling, and trismus after the surgical removal of third molars.