Antibiotic Efficacy in Third Molar Surgery

Completed · Phase 3 · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Alveolar Osteitis, Dry Socket, Infection

In brief

Despite over 50 years of antibiotic use and multiple clinical investigations (\>50), no definitive studies exist to confirm or refute the use of systemic antibiotics to prevent postoperative inflammatory complications after third molar (M3), aka "wisdom teeth" removal. Among patients having M3s extracted, does the administration of systemic prophylactic antibiotics when compared to placebo, decrease the rate of postoperative inflammatory complications? The first specific aim of the study is to implement a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to determine if systemic prophylactic antibiotics, when compared to placebo, decrease the rate of postoperative alveolar osteitis (AO) after M3 extraction. For this proposal, postoperative AO is the primary outcome variable. The second specific aim is to implement a pilot study using a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to determine if systemic prophylactic antibiotics, when compared to placebo, decrease the rate of postoperative infection after M3 extraction. For the purposes of this proposal, postoperative infection is a secondary outcome variable. Based on sample size estimates, we believe it will be necessary to implement a multi-year trial to address the second specific aim definitively. As such, we will use the experience and preliminary results derived from this clinical trial to develop and implement a future large scale clinical trial. The third specific aim is to identify risk factors associated with postoperative inflammatory complications in order to develop a model to predict if the prophylactic administration of antibiotics will prevent the postoperative inflammatory complications of alveolar osteitis and infection following the removal of M3's. The long-term goal of this project is to provide compelling clinical evidence to support recommendations regarding the use of systemic antibiotics in this setting and alter clinical practice based on the results of a well-done, definitive clinical investigation.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT00118820

Run by

Massachusetts General Hospital

People needed

132

Starts

2004-03-01

Expected to finish

2006-06-01

Last updated by the study team

2010-07-16

Who can join

Age: 13 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Demographics: While all ages are eligible for study enrollment, as a practical matter, most patients having M3s removed are usually > 13-14 years of age.
• Gender: Males and females will be offered to participate in this study.
• Race: All races and ethnicities are eligible for study enrollment.
• Clinical status: at least one impacted mandibular third molar ( M3 ) must be scheduled for extraction.
• Anesthesia: Patient request that the procedure be executed using intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Intravenous sedation will be accomplished with use of an IV placed in the antecubital fossa of each patient
• Health status: Healthy patients or patients with mild systemic disease, i.e. ASA status < 3, are eligible for study enrollment.

You may not qualify if…

• Pre-existing infection: Infection is characterised as having an area with frank purulence and/or cellulitis characterized by erythema, induration and inability to open the mouth wide enough to provide access to the airway.
• Pre-existing Systemic Illness: as evidenced by severe dry mouth, patients who have undergone radiotherapy for oral cancer, patients that are immunocompromised, patients that require antibiotic prophylaxis for endocarditis, as well as, patients who are taking antimicrobials for other systemic diseases, i.e., uncontrolled diabetes., ASA status > 2.
• Allergic Reactions to Medications: Patients who are allergic to Penicillin and Clindamycin will be excluded from the study.
• Anesthesia: Patient request that the operation be performed with local anesthesia without intravenous sedation or general anesthesia.
• Pregnancy: Pregnancy is a relative contraindication for study enrollment. If after consultation with the obstetrician, there is no contraindication to removing the impacted teeth with sedation or contraindication to receiving the test medications (penicillin or clindamycin) and the patient wants to pursue treatment, she would be considered eligible for study enrollment.

Where it is running

• Outpatient Clinic for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Wang Pavilion, ACC230 — Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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