Assessment of postoperative pain of oral mucosal biopsy: A health initiative prospective study

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate post-biopsy pain using a questionnaire supported by a visual analog scale (VAS), and the role of pharmacological agents in pain relief. Method and Materials: Three hundred patients undergoing oral biopsy were included in the study and divided into three groups. Group A: Patients received no analgesic post biopsy, except when required (SOS). Group B: Patients received anesthetic mouthwash along with oral analgesic post biopsy. Group C: Patients received anesthetic mouthwash alone. The statistical analysis was done using statistical analysis software SPSS version 11.0. ANOVA was used to compare the VAS scores and hygiene status of the three groups, while Pearson's chisquare test was used for determining association between age, sex, educational status, and association of pain with biopsy site. Results: A highly significant difference was found between the VAS scores of patients in Groups A, B, and C, and significant correlation was observed between hygiene status and degree of pain. Conclusion: Oral biopsy is definitely associated with pain, if proper medications are not deployed. Anesthetic mouthwash alone is sufficient to relieve the pain produced by oral biopsy. Direct correlation exists between hygiene status and the level of discomfort, thereby indicating that pain control is essential for good oral hygiene maintenance. Keywords: local anesthesia, oral biopsy, pain, questionnaire, visual analog scale