The records of 1,797 patients were retrospectivelye xamined to analyze the possible relationships between postoperative complications following mandibular third molar extraction and parameters such as age, sex, inication for surgery, position of the molar, surgical experience, surgical technique, and postoperative care. Older patients tended to suffer more often from complications. Surgery performed while there were signs of pericoronal inflammation also resulted in more complications. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean complication rate arising from surgery performed by staff members and the rate when surgery was performed by residents. There seems to be no reason for patients to return routinely for removal of resorbable sutures or other postoperative care because this practice does not result in a decrease in postoperative symptoms.