The use of methylprednisolone after third molar surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Extraction of impacted third molars is a standard procedure in dentistry. However, the postoperative inflammation and pain are undesired and uncomfortable. Methylprednisolone has emerged as a possible solution to improve outcomes. This systematic review aimed to evaluate methylprednisolone in the postoperative period of impacted third molars in relation to its efficacy in postoperative pain and edema, dosage regimens, administration forms, and adverse effects.

Material and methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, the focus question was: "In patients who underwent impacted third molar extraction, what was the effect of methylprednisolone used postoperatively compared to non-use or the use of other medications within the same pharmacotherapeutic group to reduce inflammation and pain?" PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus were consulted, and an additional manual was performed. The search included articles published in the last 10 years, with the language restriction to English. The articles were analyzed using the PRISMA principles, with pre-defined eligibility criteria. The data were extracted based on the general necessary information. The risk of bias for the RCTs included was performed using a revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials, and a meta-analysis was performed.

Results: Nine articles were included, and five were quantitatively analyzed. Evaluating the test and control groups (methylprednisolone versus controls), there was no significant heterogeneity for pain at 24 hours (p=0.15, I²=47%) and 7 days (p=0.15, I²=47%), with non-significant effects (p=0.85). In the inter-incisal reduction, there was homogeneity at 48 hours (p=0.96, I²=0%) and 7 days (p=0.37, I²=0%), with a greater reduction in the methylprednisolone group (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively).

Conclusions: Methylprednisolone is efficient in safely treating patients after third molar extraction, reducing pain, edema, and trismus. It achieved better results for the inter-incisal level than dexamethasone; otherwise, dexamethasone is preferable in minimizing postoperative trismus, presenting superior potential in this specific clinical context.