Minimal morbidity in outpatients undergoing oral surgical procedures under general anaesthesia in the dental surgery

Economic pressures have resulted in an increased demand for surgical treatment under general anaesthesia on an outpatient basis. Previous studies have reported a high incidence of severe morbidity associated with general anaesthesia in both general dentistry and oral surgery. This is particularly marked with dento-alveolar procedures. The ready availability of relatively inexpensive monitoring equipment together with upgraded standards recently announced by various authorities necessitates that all practitioners review their current practices in the areas of sedation and general anaesthesia. In addition to the ultimate importance of patient care and safety, the increased incidence of litigation leaves no latitude for complacency. This paper details a relatively simple, cost-effective general anaesthetic technique suitable for outpatient oral surgical procedures in the dental surgery in which all relevant recommendations at the time of writing were observed or exceeded. Associated morbidity was considerably less than previously reported, with a high degree of patient satisfaction.