Monitoring patient complications and concerns following oral surgery procedures

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to assess the frequency of patients contacting the Oral Surgery Department at Manchester Dental Hospital with post‐operative concerns. This will facilitate local improvements within the department for the effective management of patients re‐presenting with complications.Materials and methodsBetween August 2013 and October 2013, the records for 31 patients re‐attending the Oral Surgery Department at Manchester Dental Hospital after a surgical procedure were analysed retrospectively. All data collected were stored on a secure university hard drive and analysed using Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet.ResultsNinety‐three per cent of patients who re‐attended the department required only one unplanned episode for treatment. Surgical procedures that resulted in re‐attendance included removal of third molars (57%), extraction of non‐third molar teeth (25%), implant placement (10%), apical root end surgery (3.5%) and excision of a ranula (3.5%). It was noted 36% of patients included in the audit were diagnosed with post‐operative pain or normal healing.ConclusionThe management of patients attending with unplanned episodes of treatment places an additional stra