Incidence of oral tissue trauma after the administration of general anesthesia

Administration of general anesthesia necessitates certain amounts of manipulation or instrumentation within the mouth that may cause some oral tissue injuries. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of oral tissue trauma after receiving general anesthesia. Some possible risk factors were explored.

Four hundred and four adult patients receiving surgical procedures under general anesthesia facilitated by endotracheal intubation were included in this prospective survey. In each patient detailed oral and dental conditions were evaluated and recorded by an oral surgeon before and after operation. The extent of oral tissue trauma were computed and the type and character of the injury were recorded.

Twenty-eight patients (6.9%) were found to sustain various degrees of oral trauma that included soft tissue laceration, tooth fracture, prosthesis damage, tooth avulsion, ecchymosis and numbness of tongue. Preexistence of missing tooth, crown, and residual root were some possible risk factors that might predispose to complication.

Oral tissue trauma as it seems to be a common anesthetic complication that should be considered as a recognized hazard of general anesthesia. Understanding and recognizing oral anatomical condition and pathological change before anesthesia may help the anesthesiologists in preventing oral and dental complications and thus to avoid legal suits.