A controlled comparison of effectiveness of bupivacaine for post‐operative pain control

Abstract

Abstract The advantages of using long‐acting local anaesthetics in oral surgery have been demonstrated in a limited number of clinical trials. The present study involved a double‐blind cross‐over trial of 20 patients who underwent surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar teeth on separate occasions. For one side lignocaine was used, for the other bupivacaine. Pain was assessed at 4, 8 and 12 hours post‐operatively and mean pain scores at these times were compared. The mean analgesic requirements over the first 12 hours were also compared. Results showed that there was a significant reduction in the amount of pain experienced with bupivacaine and a significant patient preference for that agent.