ABSTRACT
Purpose: The purposes of this study were to: (1) describe patients preplanned for admission to the hospital after dental treatment under general anesthesia (GA) and compare patients who were admitted to those not admitted; (2) describe patients with unplanned admission to the hospital after dental treatment under GA; and (3) refine the criteria used for preplanning patients for admission.
Methods: Records of patients preplanned for admission following dental GA at a major children's hospital between January 1, 2015, and June 30, 2017 were reviewed.
Results: Pediatric dentists treated 948 patients. Most patients (84 percent) were planned for day surgery (n=792; two were admitted postoperatively [0.3 percent]). Sixteen percent (n=156 patients) were preplanned for hospital admission after surgery and 62 percent (n=97) of these patients were admitted. Anticipated challenges with analgesia, nutrition, or hydration were reasons for preplanned admission significantly associated with hospital admission (P <.01). Demographics, body mass index, physical status classification, and apnea-hypopnea index were not significantly associated with admission. Significant differences in medical support provided in the admitted versus non-admitted cohorts were: non-opiate analgesics (P <0.01); opiates (P =0.02); antiemetics (P =0.01); airway support (P =0.05); and intravenous hydration (P <0.01).
Conclusion: Among patients preplanned for admission to the hospital following dental surgery, 62 percent were admitted; these patients received significantly more intravenous fluids, antiemetic and/or analgesic medications, and airway support than patients not admitted.
