Frequency of Repeat General Anaesthesia (GA) in Peadiatric Dental Patients: A 10-Years Review

Background: Dental treatment under GA remains as the last options when other non-pharmacological and pharmacological methods failed to manage dental pain and anxiety in order for the treatment to be successfully delivered. However, the increasing number of children undergoing a second GA for dental treatment is of particular concern. The aim of this research is to study about the frequency of repeat general anesthesia (GA) for comprehensive dental care and factors associated with it among paediatric patients seen in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC).

Methods: The electronic dental hospital records of patients receiving comprehensive dental treatment under GA at UKMMC between January 2007 and December 2017 were examined retrospectively. A data collection form was used to record the relevant information.Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows, version 24 computer programme.

Results: A total of 754 patients with a mean age of 7.1(±3.8) years were seen for dental treatment under GA. Of those, 37 patients (4·9%) underwent a subsequent episode of repeat GA. The mean interval time was 4.4 years (±2.8) and 3.7 years (±1.8) for second and third GA respectively. 28 patients (75.7%) who require repeat GA were special needs patients, followed by 8 patients (21.6%) with underlying medical illness and 1 patient (2.7%) was fit and healthy. Caries was the main reason for both single (86.2%) and repeat (75.7%) GA. Extractions and restorative treatment were the two most common treatment been provided for both single and repeat GA, with 20.4% of the teeth was retreated during the repeat GA.

Conclusion: The frequency of repeat GA is relatively low with caries is the main reason for repeat GA.