ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe the anesthetic technique used, the evaluation of airway patency, and the perioperative complications in patients with lower than average intelligence (mentally disabled) who are administered general anesthesia for dental surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a prospective, descriptive, comparative study of mentally disabled ASA 2-3 patients. The patients were distributed in 2 groups: mild to moderate mental disability and severe to very severe mental disability. Induction was via intravenous or inhaled anesthesia depending on availability of venous access. Maintenance was with sevoflurane in oxygen and air at variable concentrations in order to maintain a bispectral index (BIS) between 40 and 60. Statistical comparisons were based on the chi2 test, the log-rank test and the t test. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were enrolled. The anesthetic technique maintained hemodynamic stability in both groups. No statistically significant differences were found in Mallampati classification, Cormack-Lehane classification, or level of disability. The incidence of complications was higher in the group with more severe disability; the most common complication was difficult tracheal intubation. Bradycardia was the most common complication in the group with mild to moderate mental disability. CONCLUSIONS: The anesthetic technique used in this study proved to be safe and effective in this type of patient. A higher degree of mental disability led to less effective examination of the airway and more difficult direct laryngoscopy. BIS was as effective for monitoring in this population as it is in the general population.
