Factors related to postoperative discomfort in young children following dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia.

PURPOSE

This study, conducted in ambulatory surgical centers, was a response to queries from pediatric dentists who wondered if postoperative discomfort in their patients treated for early childhood caries under general anesthesia was related to specific dental procedures. The purpose of this study was to identify factors related to the occurrence and severity of postoperative discomfort.

METHODS

Subjects were children younger than 7 years old. The faces, legs, activity, cry, consolability pain assessment tool measured discomfort immediately postoperatively; the dental discomfort questionnaire (DDQ-8) measured discomfort preoperatively and after treatment. Data was analyzed with bivariate tests and hierarchical linear multiple regression.

RESULTS

Of the 160 participants (52.9±15.0 months old), approximately 51% had preoperative dental discomfort (DDQ-8 score=>3). The proportion with discomfort had significantly decreased to 27% by days 2 to 5. Immediate discomfort in recovery was influenced by number of crowns and space maintainers and inversely by the length of postoperative sleep. Dental discomfort in the first week postoperatively was predicted by amount of preoperative discomfort, length of sleep in recovery, and not resuming a regular diet on Day 1.

CONCLUSION

In these children, discomfort after treatment was mild, decreased over time, and, other than immediately postoperatively, was not related to specific dental procedures.