Changes in c-reactive protein after tramadol and ibuprofen administration in mandibular third molar surgery: a double-blind randomized clinical trial study

Surgical removal of inferior third molar tooth is associated with post operative complications such as pain, trismus and edema. Decreasing the post-operative inflammation and edema is one of the important goals in drug administration. For management of post operative pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids can be administered. C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the best paraclinical parameters for evaluation of tissue inflammation.
Thirty one patients aged 18 to 31years old were enrolled and evaluated in this randomized controlled clinical trial. They were classified into two groups, randomly. In one group, NSAID and in the other group tramadol was administered orally, after dental surgery. Blood samples were taken before procedure and 72 hours after procedure for CRP level evaluation.
Regardless of the type of drugs, CRP changes were statistically significant in both groups before and after operation. Elevation of CRP serum level was higher in tramadol group in comparison to Ibuprofen group and the difference was statistically significant. (P.value 0.05).
This study has shown that NSAIDs have more anti-inflammatory effect than opioids.