Postoperative pain and other sequelae of dental rehabilitations performed on children under general anesthesia.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, severity and variables influencing postoperative pain and other sequelae in children undergoing dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia.

METHODS: Healthy children scheduled for dental rehabilitation having treatment on only primary teeth were included in the study. General anesthesia protocol was standardized, and patients did not receive local anesthesia intraoperatively. Pain and other postoperative sequelae were recorded for 7 days postoperatively.

RESULTS: Ninety-five percent of the 90 children had postoperative pain which was moderate in intensity and highest immediately postoperatively. Children who had extractions or were at least 4 years old and had more than 12 procedures experienced increased postoperative pain. The most common postoperative symptoms other than pain were agitation, need for analgesics, and sleepiness. Longer operative times resulted in increased postoperative sleepiness. Children whose tracheal intubations were traumatic were more likely to report sore throats. Children who were at least 4 years old required more analgesics, experienced more postoperative sleepiness, and had nausea more frequently. All postoperative problems significantly decreased by postoperative day 2 and ceased by postoperative day 4 to 5.

CONCLUSION: Children undergoing dental rehabilitations under general anesthesia commonly experience postoperative symptoms such as pain, agitation, need for analgesics, and sleepiness.