title: Dental treatment of children using propofol and a laryngeal mask.
abstract: AIM: Sedation regimens for toddlers and preschoolers are still open for further studies. Propofol is rapidly finding its way into medical routine. The aim of this pilot study was to re-evaluate the need for sedation in young children and to further investigate the use of propofol as an intravenous agent combined with the use of a flexible laryngeal mask for treatment of the youngest group of dental patients. METHODS: A randomised clinical trial with 54 children involved was conducted comparing one group receiving propofol sedation only with a study group receiving propofol with the use of a reinforced laryngeal mask. Assessments were made as to depth of sedation, quantity of propofol used, desaturations and recovery times. RESULTS: The use of a laryngeal mask improved the treatment conditions by decreasing the number of desaturations during treatment (p</=0.001, t=5.74). When using a laryngeal mask, the average amount (in ml) of propofol used was significantly higher (p</=0.016, t=-2.22) and the average waking up time in minutes significantly longer (p</=0.016, t=-2.23). CONCLUSION: It was also found that deepening the sedation to be able to insert the laryngeal mask effectively reached such a level that it should be renamed as anaesthesia, thereby possibly limiting its use to hospital settings. The study supported, however, the safety aspects of the laryngeal mask.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cariology, Endodontology, Pedodontology.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Veerkamp
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Porcelijn
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gruythuysen