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Published on: November 6, 2019

Perioperative local anaesthetic in young paediatric patients undergoing extractions under outpatient 'short-case'

K J Leong1, G J Roberts, P F Ashley

  • 1MClinDent (Paediatric Dentistry) Graduate, Unit of Paediatric Dentistry, Eastman Dental Institute and Hospital, University College London, University of London, 256 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8LD. kjleong18@hotmail.com

British Dental Journal
|August 19, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Local anesthetic injection techniques did not significantly affect early postoperative pain or anxiety in young children undergoing dental extractions under general anesthesia. However, intraligamental injections showed a benefit on the first night post-procedure.

Area of Science:

  • Paediatric Dentistry
  • Pain Management
  • Anaesthesiology

Background:

  • Assessing postoperative pain and anxiety in young children after dental extractions under general anesthesia (GA) is crucial.
  • Perioperative local anesthetic (LA) injection techniques may influence patient comfort.
  • Understanding these effects can optimize pediatric dental care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of different perioperative local anesthetic (LA) injection techniques on postoperative pain and anxiety in children undergoing dental extractions.
  • To compare no LA (NLA), infiltration (IFL), and intraligamental (ITR) injection methods.

Main Methods:

  • A single-centre, double-blind, randomized controlled trial involving children aged 2-6 years scheduled for dental extractions under GA.
  • Participants were randomized to receive NLA, IFL, or ITR perioperatively.
  • Anxiety and pain were assessed using validated scales (Venham Picture Scale, Simplified Toddler-Preschooler Postoperative Pain Scale, Modified Pain/Discomfort Scale).

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in postoperative pain/discomfort and anxiety scores were observed during the immediate recovery period across the groups.
  • The intraligamental injection (ITR) group reported significantly lower pain scores on the first night post-procedure (p = 0.012).

Conclusions:

  • Perioperative LA injection techniques (NLA, IFL, ITR) do not appear to significantly affect immediate postoperative pain/discomfort and anxiety in young children after extractions under GA.
  • Intraligamental injection may offer a benefit upon discharge, potentially due to better initial tolerance and reduced soft tissue numbness, leading to decreased perceived pain.
Abstract

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