A non-randomized trial aimed to explore the efficacy of 100 mg nimesulide and 10 mg ketorolac to manage pain, swelling, and trismus after third molar surgery.

Overall, 42 patients were divided into either the nimesulide group or the ketorolac group. Both the drugs were orally administered, instantly after extraction followed by twice daily. Pain intensity levels (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS]), swelling, and trismus were estimated and compared at six, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery. Utilizing the Mann-Whitney U test, Friedman test, and Independent t-test, assessment of the data was done.

At various time points, no vital difference was witnessed between nimesulide and ketorolac cohorts. However, a vital difference was noted between time points within each group, as shown below:

At various time points, there was a vital difference in mouth opening within each cohort. The swelling was found to be more prominent in the nimesulide-recipients compared to the ketorolac-recipients. Ketorolac illustrated better effectiveness compared to nimesulide as an anti-inflammatory agent after dental extractions.

Nimesulide has comparable pain-relieving efficacy as ketorolac in patients undergoing third molar surgery.