Evaluation of the effectiveness of Lactuca Sativa syrup in controlling pain after periodontal flap surgery: a split-mouth, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Effective pain control after oral surgeries including periodontal flap surgery is one of the biggest problems in the periodontology field. The use of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain after periodontal flap surgery is common, but these have some adverse side effects such as impaired platelet function and causing digestive problems. Today, the tendency to use omedicinal plants is more than synthetic drugs due to their safety. Therefore, we designed a split-mouth randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effects of Lactuca Sativa (L.Sativa) syrup as an adjunct therapy in reducing pain after periodontal flap surgery. Methods This split-mouth, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed on 26 subjects. Patients were assigned for two surgery. Primary surgery was performed on the right maxilla and after 30 days, secondary surgery was performed on the left maxilla. In primary surgery, patients consumed L.Sativa syrup (3 times a day for 72 h) and in secondary surgery, patients consumed placebo syrup (3 times a day for 72 h). Pain intensity was measured at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after a periodontal flap surgery in both surgeries using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). All patients received their routine drugs, including analgesics. The number of analgesics used after surgery was recorded. Statistical analysis of t-test was used to compare the results of the two surgery. Results The results showed that the mean pain based on VAS score at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after primary periodontal flap surgery was significantly reduced compared to the secondary periodontal flap surgery (p<0.001). The results also showed that the use of analgesics after 72 h of surgery was significantly reduced in the primary periodontal flap surgery compared to the secondary periodontal flap surgery (p<0.001). Conclusions According to the results of this study, L.Sativa syrup can be effective as adjuvant therapy in reducing pain after periodontal flap surgery.