Evaluation of need to pulse oximetry monitoring during inhalation sedation for periodontal treatments

ABSTRACT

Inhalation sedation is used for pain and anxiety control in dentistry. Hypoxia is the most important side effect which can be detected using pulse oximetry, however, there are different opinions about the use of this instrument. This study has been designed to investigate this subject. In this study, 32 adult patients from periodontal surgical department were selected for their surgical treatment to be performed under inhalation sedation with 50% oxygen and 50% nitrous oxide. Chances of hypoxia occurrence in these patients during and after surgery were evaluated, using pulse oximetry. Average arterial blood oxygen saturation before surgery was measured to be 98.8 +/- 0.61% while it was 99.4 +/- 0.17% during the surgery. Hypoxemia was seen in one case during the surgery. Average arterial blood oxygen saturation in the first and the fifth minute after disconnection from nitrous oxide were above 97%. Hypoxia occurred in one case which can be due to patient's malaise and movement. Inhalation sedation may be administered without the use of pulse oximetry. However, if the observed hypoxia is a sign of real hypoxemia, we conclude that pulse oximetry is necessary during relative analgesia. Due to our lack of adequate experience with inhalation sedation, it is advisable to employ pulse oximetry for this type of sedation in dentistry