Alfentanil with methohexitone in paediatric dental anaesthesia.
Children recovering from intravenous methohexitone anaesthesia given for simple dental extractions frequently cry, or are restless and confused, during emergence from anaesthesia. This is disturbing for parents and other children. In an attempt to resolve this problem various doses of alfentanil (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 micrograms/kg) were added to a standard intravenous dose of methohexitone (2 mg/kg), with the effects being assessed by comparison with a control group who received methohexitone only. The incidence of crying recorded was significantly lower in the group receiving the highest alfentanil supplement (10 micrograms/kg), when compared with the incidence in the group given lower doses of alfentanil or methohexitone alone. Among those who cried, there was a significant delay in onset in the high alfentanil dose group. No adverse effects were observed.
Edinburgh Dental Hospital, UK.
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D000293:Adolescent; D015760:Alfentanil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003448:Crying; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008723:Methohexital / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000517:prevention & control; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects
D015760:Alfentanil; D008723:Methohexital