Evaluation of the Serum Level of Interleukin-6 in Patients Undergoing Surgical Removal of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars
Author(s): Hussain A Taher* and Salwan Y Bede
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the changes in the serum levels of interleukin-6 after impacted third molar surgery and its relation with the degree of the operative difficulty.
Materials and methods: This prospective cohort study included patients who underwent surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molar. Two blood samples were drawn from the patients; one before the operation and the second 48 hours postoperatively. The serum interleukin-6 levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the differences between the pre and postoperative levels were assessed and correlated with the difficulty of surgical extraction determined by duration and technique of surgery and other variables.
Results: Thirty nine patients were included: 12 (30.8%) males and 27 (69.2%) females. The age range was from 20-38 years, with a mean ± SD of 29 ± 5 years. The level of interleukin-6 increased significantly following surgery in comparison with the level before operation, but there was no correlation between the change in the level of interleukin-6 pre and postoperatively with other variables namely; age, gender, indication of extraction, classification of impaction and difficulty of surgical extraction.
Conclusion: After surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molar, there was a significant increase in interleukin-6 serum levels that does not correlate with the difficulty of surgical extraction and the other investigated variables.