Non-pain-related complaints of paediatric patients after dental treatment under general anaesthesia

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ABSTRACT

Aim

To investigate the prevalence, duration, and severity of non-pain-related complaints after dental treatment under general anaesthesia (DTGA) and to identify correlating factors from patient’s characteristics and treatment.

Methods

Parents/caregivers of children treated under general anaesthesia were asked to fill in a dichotomous questionnaire during hospitalisation and the postoperative week. Several complaints were evaluated in relation to factors associated with dental treatment and general anaesthesia.

Results

Drowsiness (86.4%), oral bleeding (81.7%) and vomiting (57.2%) were the most common non-pain related complaints, followed by cough (42.7%), eating difficulty (37.9%) emergence agitation (27.1%), nasal bleeding (21.3%), facial swelling (17.5%), sleep disturbance (13.5%) and fever (3.9%). Most complaints were significantly reduced or ceased by the 3rd postoperative day, however, facial swelling or eating difficulties were observed for up to a week. Age, length of surgery, number and class of extracted primary tooth, type of airway device and intraoperative administered systemic analgesics showed significant positive correlation with postoperative complaints.

Conclusion

Postoperative morbidity after DTGA is common. Patients and their parents should be informed about the possibility of experiencing mild to moderate complaints, and adverse events that may last up to 7 days.

Study design

Cross-sectional observational study

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