A retrospective study of deep sedation with concomitant administration of sedative agents in children undergoing surgical removal of a mesiodens

BACKGROUND Pediatric dentists face challenges when young patients require a mesiodens extraction. General anesthesia may be a burden to the child as well as the parent due to dental fears and costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate oral and intravenous sedation in the outpatient setting as a safe and effective means of managing patients who require a mesiodens extraction. METHODS Records were reviewed retrospectively to find patients who underwent a mesiodens removal procedure from January 2013 to September 2014 in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Ajou University Hospital (Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea). A total of 81 patients (62 male and 19 female) between 4 and 11 years of age (mean [± SD] 81.6 ± 14.1 months) were studied, with a mean weight of 22.9 ± 3.3 kg (16 kg to 30 kg). Vital signs, sedation drug dosage, and sedation time were studied. RESULTS Mean doses of 63.7 ± 2.5 mg/kg chloral hydrate and 1.36 ± 0.22 mg/kg hydroxyzine were used for oral sedation. Nitrous oxide/oxygen was administrated for 40.0 ± 2.1 min. The mean dose of midazolam administered intravenously was 0.14 ± 0.06 mg/kg (2.38 ± 0.97 times). In all cases, the mesiodens was removed successfully. CONCLUSIONS Intravenous sedation combined with oral sedation and nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation can be an alternative to general anesthesia when administrated and monitored properly.