Use of sevoflurane inhalation sedation for outpatient third molar surgery.

This study attempted to determine if sevoflurane in oxygen inhaled via a nasal hood as a sole sedative agent would provide an appropriate level of deep sedation for outpatient third molar surgery. Twenty-four patients scheduled for third molar removal were randomly assigned to receive either nasal hood inhalation sevoflurane or an intravenous deep sedation using midazolam and fentanyl followed by a propofol infusion. In addition to measuring patient, surgeon, and dentist anesthesiologist subjective satisfaction with the technique, physiological parameters, amnesia, and psychomotor recovery were also assessed. No statistically significant difference was found between the sevoflurane and midazolam-fentanyl-propofol sedative groups in physiological parameters, degree of amnesia, reported quality of sedation, or patient willingness to again undergo a similar deep sedation. A trend toward earlier recovery in the sevoflurane group was identified. Sevoflurane can be successfully employed as a deep sedative rather than a general anesthetic for extraction of third molars in healthy subjects.

Anesthesia for office-based oral and maxillofacial surgery.

This article is divided into two sections, each encompassing the various aspects of anesthesia used for dental procedures ranging from single tooth extraction to more complex reconstruction and tumor eradication. The various types of anesthesia used for each of these kinds of dental surgery are explored, and the effectiveness and cost efficiency of office-based anesthesia procedures are discussed.