Complications requiring hospitalization after third-molar surgery

A retrospective study of patients hospitalized for complications after third-molar surgery during a 10-year period showed that of the total 19 cases, 15 presented as infections. Five admissions were attributable to surgery performed by oral surgeons, including two cases of postoperative bleeding, two infections, and one displaced root fragment. Fourteen patients admitted after surgery by general dental practitioners included 12 acute and 2 chronic infections. Apart from daily smoking, no medical problems or other risk factors were associated with the complications. According to assessments of regional volume of third-molar surgery by general dental practitioners and oral surgeons, the rates of serious postoperative infections were 2.8·10-4 and 6.5·10-3 cases per operation, respectively. This difference in infection rates may be explained by less surgical training and experience in general dental practice.