Special care in dentistry : official publication of the American Association of Hospital Dentists, the Academy of Dentistry for the Handicapped, and the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry
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Comparative Study
General anesthesia for developmentally disabled dental care patients: a comparison of reinforced laryngeal mask airway and endotracheal intubation anesthesia.
Providing dental care for developmentally disabled patients who require general anesthesia is challenging for both and dentists and anesthesiologists. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of two anesthetic methods for dental care. The researchers retrospectively analyzed morbidity data following anesthesia using either a reinforced laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or endotracheal intubation anesthesia for a two-year time period. ⋯ Nausea and vomiting were the major complications in the postanesthetic care unit and after discharge. When complication rates were compared in the two patient groups, nausea and vomiting were significantly higher during postanesthetic care and after discharge in the intubated group. In conclusion, reinforced laryngeal mask airway provides general anesthesia with less risk of side effects for developmentally disabled patients undergoing dental care.