Flap design: Comparison of ward’s flap versus modified ward’s flap in surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molar.

Abstract

To compare the Ward’s Flap Versus Modified Ward’s flap in relation to access, healing & postoperative complications in surgical extraction of mandibular third molar impaction. Study Design: Comparative Cross Sectional. Setting: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery LUMHS Jamshoro/Hyderabad: Period: March 2017 to November 2017. Materials and Methods: The history, clinical examination and radiographs (OPG and periapical) had done by team of researchers and recorded on proforma. After selection of patient into either group (Group A=Wards Flap, Group B Modified Wards), the surgical extraction was carried out under local anesthesia. For group A, a standard full thickness mucoperiosteal flap (ward’s flap) was raised. The incision was given mesial to the impacted lower third molar. For group B, a standard full thickness mucoperiosteal flap (Modified ward’s flap) was given mesial to second molar. At the end of the surgery, the flap design used for the extraction of impacted lower third molar tooth and the duration of each operation (from the first extraction maneuver to the completion of the last suture), Pain, Swelling and Trismus¹³ were recorded on the proforma. Every patient was called for follow up on the 3^rd day and 7^th day. Results: Mean age was found 27.93 years, with range of minimum 20 years and maximum 35 years. Male were found in the majority 72.3%. Majority of the cases 51.5% were found with class B, in class A 37.5% and 10.9% were found with class C. According to the impaction position 50% cases were in class I, and 50% cases were in class II. Preoperative pain measurement was done according VAS, 71.9% patients were found with mild pain, 9.4% were with moderate pain while 18.8% patients were without pain. Modified Wards flap showed good efficacy regarding duration of third molar extraction as compare to Ward’s flap P-value 0.018. Modified ward’s flap had showed less postoperative pain as compare to ward’s flap p-value 0.022. No significant difference was found between both groups on 3^rd and 7^th postoperative day in Mouth opening. Conclusion: This study concluded that both ward’s flap and modified ward’s flaps showed good efficacy, while duration of surgery and postoperative pain were significantly less in the modified ward’s flaps as compare to ward’s flap. More large sample size studies are required to evaluate more accurate findings.