365 - Local Anesthesia Efficacy Post-Operatively Following Dental Rehabilitation Under General Anesthesia

Purpose: The aim of this longitudinal study was to determine if children during dental rehabilitation with general anesthesia have improvement post-operative with administration of local anesthesia during the dental procedure.

Methods: Pediatric patients aged 6 years and younger, who underwent full mouth dental rehabilitation (FMDR) under general anesthesia (GA), were recruited to this randomized, single-blind controlled study. Patients were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups: 1) periodontal ligament (PDL) injections of local anesthesia (2% lidocaine 1:100,000 epinephrine) administered prior to dental extractions and 2) no intraoperative delivery of local anesthesia completed during treatment. No systemic analgesics were administered to patients while under GA. Patient recovery was graded by Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) nurses immediately upon waking with the FLACC (Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) Scoring system and prior to discharge using the Wong-Baker FACES Scale.

Results: Eleven children were included in the study: 5 in the lidocaine test group and 6 in the control group. The average number of primary teeth extracted per case was 4. Eighty-eight percent of patients who received local anesthetic had recorded FLACC scores of 0 immediately upon waking while control patients had elevated FLACC scores ranging from 0 to 10, with only 33% of patients having a FLACC score of 0 immediately upon waking.

Conclusions: Based on this study’s current tentative data, it may be suggested that intraoperative delivery of local anesthesia during pediatric FMDR under GA reduces children’s immediate post-operative pain. Additional patients must be included in the study to determine statistical support.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: Research supported by Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital.