Prophylactic use of a single 500 mg preoperative oral dose of amoxicillin to prevent postoperative infection after impacted lower third molar surgery: A pilot study

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a single preoperative oral dose of 500 mg amoxicillin (AMPC) in preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) following impacted lower third molar surgery. Methods: A total of 360 impacted teeth were treated. Patients received 500 mg of oral AMPC 1 h before surgery. The presence of SSIs was assessed at the time of suture removal and during a follow-up visit within 60 days. At suture removal, nine potential risk factors for SSIs were evaluated. Results: An SSI was observed in 1 out of the 360 teeth (0.28%) at the time of suture removal. Infections occurred in 3 of 201 teeth in both the ≤30-day and >30-day follow-up groups. Infections occurring within 30 days showed a significant difference between positions C and A (p < 0.05), and between C and B (p < 0.01). Among the nine items evaluated at suture removal, gingival swelling (p < 0.01) and wound closure status (p < 0.05) were identified as risk factors. Conclusions: A single 500 mg oral dose of AMPC is sufficient to reduce the incidence of SSIs following impacted lower third molar surgery.