Effectiveness of two nitrous oxide scavenging nasal hoods during routine pediatric dental treatment.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared the effectiveness of 2 nasal hoods (Porter/Brown and Accutron) in reducing waste nitrous oxide gas during conscious sedation for routine pediatric dental treatment.


METHODS
Thirty children, ages 3 to 8 years (mean=5.4 +/- 1.2 years), participated in this study. Fifteen randomly selected children started with the Porter/Brown mask, which was then switched to the Accutron mask, and the other 15 children used the reverse order of masks. Four measurements of ambient nitrous oxide were recorded with a Miran 205B Portable Ambient Air Analyzer 5 minutes after each of the following: (1) administration of nitrous oxide; (2) placement of the rubber dam; (3) change of the nasal hood; and (4) reduction of the vacuum. Samples were taken 8 inches above the nose of the patient and in the room 5 feet away from the patient.


RESULTS
Nitrous oxide levels were significantly lower (P<.05) with the Porter/Brown system (31 +/- 40 ppm for the patient and 8 +/- 10 ppm for the room) compared with the Accutron system (375 +/- 94 ppm for the patient and 101 +/- 37 ppm for the room). When the suction was reduced, there was an increase in nitrous oxide levels with the Porter/Brown nasal hood (169 +/- 112 ppm for the patient and 28 +/- 18 ppm for the room), whereas the levels with the Accutron nasal hood remained high (368 +/- 107 ppm for the patient and 121 +/- 50 ppm for the room).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that removal of waste nitrous oxide was greater with the Porter/Brown device and that recommended suction levels must be used for optimum effectiveness.
Chrysikopoulou
Aikaterini
A
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School, USA.
Matheson
Pamela
P
Milles
Maano
M
Shey
Zia
Z
Houpt
Milton
M
D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D005260:Female; D015920:Gas Scavengers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008397:Masks; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014618:Vacuum
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D009609:Nitrous Oxide