Is age a determinant for nausea and vomiting in disabled patients after dental treatment under sedation?

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of most frequently encountered problems after dental treatment of mentally and/or motor disabled patients under sedation or general anesthesia. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether PONV incidence in disabled patients differs between adults (≥18 years) and children/teenage (<18 years). Also investigating complication rates related with anesthesia protocols were additional objectives of the study.

We retrospectively evaluated anesthesia reports of 664 cases undergone different dental treatment procedures under deep sedation with various anesthetic agents. Two study groups (Group 1 consisted from patients with special needs <18 years, while Group 2 consisted from patients ≥18 years) were created. PONV incidence and other complications recorded.

There was no statistical difference between groups in terms of used anesthetic agent except midazolam (P < 0.017), while higher female/male ratio and longer duration of anesthesia was recorded in Group 2 (P = 0.043 and P = 0.046, respectively). We found significantly higher PONV rates in disabled patients under 18 years (P = 0.006). Hypoxia (peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) <90%) and bradycardia (heart rate <50/minute) were observed in only two patients.

PONV is more common in disabled patients younger than 18 years and dental treatment procedures under deep sedation can be provided with acceptable complication rates in patients with special needs.