The efficacy of hyaluronic acid in postextraction sockets of impacted third molars: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of local hyaluronic acid (HA) administration to surgically remove impacted third molar sockets and measure pain, swelling, and trismus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included a total of 25 healthy patients aged 18-29 years with asymptomatic bilaterally impacted lower third molars. All cases have been performed under local anesthesia. In the study group, 0.8% HA (Gengigel®) was applied in the postextraction sockets of the right third molars and in the control group nothing was applied to the extraction sockets of the left third molars. Postoperative pain, trismus, and swelling were evaluated on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th postoperative days. RESULTS: No difference was determined between groups in facial swelling and maximum mouth opening. However, the amount of pain significantly reduced in HA groups according to visual analog scale (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that HA can produce an analgesic action in postextraction sockets after surgical removal of impacted teeth and therefore it has a clinical benefit to reduce usage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after dentoalveolar surgery.

Venous thromboembolism risk and thromboprophylaxis among hospitalized patients: data from the Turkish arm of the ENDORSE study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk and use of thromboprophylaxis in the acute care hospital setting. METHODS: A total of 1701 patients hospitalized for acute or exacerbated chronic medical illnesses or elective major surgery at 11 different hospitals across Turkey were included in the study. Patients at risk and VTE prophylaxis application were retrospectively identified based on medical charts. RESULTS: According to the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) criteria, overall 35.6% (606 of 1701) of the patients were identified to be at VTE risk. Venous thromboembolism-risk was observed in 64.9% of surgical and 23.8% of medical patients, the latter being lower than global Epidemiologic International Day for the Evaluation of Patients at Risk for Venous Thromboembolism in the Acute Hospital Care Setting (ENDORSE) study results; while prophylaxis was prescribed in 39.0% and 38.5% of them, respectively. Contraindication to anticoagulant prophylaxis was observed in 8.7% of medical and 8.8% of surgical patients. CONCLUSIONS: VTE remains a risk factor among patients hospitalized across Turkey, since identification as well as prophylaxis of patients at VTE risk seems to be neglected.