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Introduction: Mandibular third molars are commonly impacted and surgical removal is indicated if associated with pathologic process causing discomfort. Patient variables like age, sex, angulation, depth and position of impaction affects the complications associated with surgical removal.

Objective: To describe complications associated with surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars.

Materials and Method: A single-centre prospective study was planned in which patients presented for surgical removal of mandibular third molar were included in the study and their variables were recorded from clinical record and OPG. Complications were recorded during followup which was upto 3 months and descriptive analysis and Chi squared test was done to correlate the patient variables with outcome variables.

Result: Complication rate was generally higher with increasing age, Trismus was associated with male gender and dry socket was seen more often in females. Nerve injuries were very uncommon and always temporary usually resolving within 3 months of followup.

Conclusion: There is association of complication rate with increasing age, male sex has higher incidence of trismus whereas dry socket is commonly seen in females. Increasing depth level and position C was associated with higher rate of complications. Nerve injuries are very uncommon and preventable with good surgical technique and even if they occur are most of the times temporary and not significant.

Complications; impaction; third molar.