Dental treatment of children using propofol and a laryngeal mask

Authors:

ABSTRACT

Aim

Sedation regimens for toddlers and preschoolers are still open for further studies. Propofol is rapidly finding its way into
medical routine. The aim of this pilot study was to re-evaluate the need for sedation in young children and to further investigate the use
of propofol as an intravenous agent combined with the use of a flexible laryngeal mask for treatment of the youngest group of dental
patients.

Methods

A randomised clinical trial with 54 children involved was conducted comparing one group receiving propofol
sedation only with a study group receiving propofol with the use of a reinforced laryngeal mask. Assessments were made as to depth of
sedation, quantity of propofol used, desaturations and recovery times.

Results

The use of a laryngeal mask improved the treatment
conditions by decreasing the number of desaturations during treatment (p0.001, t=5.74). When using a laryngeal mask, the average
amount (in ml) of propofol used was significantly higher (p0.016, t=-2.22) and the average waking up time in minutes significantly
longer (p0.016, t=-2.23).

Conclusion

It was also found that deepening the sedation to be able to insert the laryngeal mask
effectively reached such a level that it should be renamed as anaesthesia, thereby possibly limiting its use to hospital settings. The
study supported, however, the safety aspects of the laryngeal mask.

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