Cardiopulmonary parameters during meperidine, promethazine, and chlorpromazine sedation for pediatric dentistry

Twenty pediatric patients were sedated with a meperidine, Promethazine and chlorpromazine drug combination prior to dental rehabilitation. Heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation were recorded throughout the procedures, as well as level of patient cooperation. There were no statistically significant changes in either heart rate or blood pressure. Forty-seven percent of subjects treated experienced a decline in oxygen hemoglobin saturation. Fifty percent of the patients were well sedated and cooperative, with another forty-five precent exhibiting moderate sedation but an increased incidence of behavioral management difficulties. All procedures were completed on 95% of patients. One case (5%) was aborted because of uncontrollable patient behavior following initiation of dental procedures.