The Efficacy and Complications of Deep Sedation in Pediatric Dental Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background. Dental anxiety in children is a common problem. Currently, many of dental procedures are performed under sedation. Different methods of sedation have been employed for this purpose. Compared to adults, children usually need a deeper sedation level. The aim of this retrospective study is to assess the efficacy and complication of deep sedation in pediatric dental patients. Method. This study was performed on 250 ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) I, II children undergoing deep sedation during the dental procedures. After the administration of oral midazolam as premedication, the monitoring process started. The patients that received the sedation dose of propofol and oxygen through nasal cannula during the procedure were carefully monitored for the purpose of evaluating hemodynamic and respiratory complications. The mean procedure and recovery time, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and success rate were further studied. Result. The average age of the patients was 3.7. 32% of the patients were females, and 68% of them were males. Laryngospasm that occurred in 5 cases was resolved immediately by using positive pressure ventilation. Mild hypoxia was observed in 17 cases which were immediately managed by a bag-valve-mask ventilation. No cases of hemodynamic complications and PONV were reported. The mean length of the procedure was 57 minutes, and the mean length of recovery was 16 minutes. The success rate of this method was estimated to be 99.6%. Conclusion. Deep sedation with propofol is a suitable technique with a high success rate for dental procedures in children. It was also concluded that in pediatric dental procedures, the presence of a skilled anesthetist and the implementation of a close monitoring process are required.