The Efficacy of Preoperative Analgesic Administration for Postoperative Pain Management of Pediatric Dental Patients

Resident’s Name: Laura Randazzo Sabnani Date:5/29/2009

Article title:The Efficacy of Preoperative Analgesic Administration for Postoperative Pain Management of Pediatric Dental Patients

Author(s): Primosch, R et al.

Journal: Anesthesia and Pain Control in Dentistry

Volume (number):2, No 2

Month, Year:  1993

Major topic :  Preoperative pain management in children

 Main purpose: To access the effectiveness of preoperative administration of acetominophen  upon post operative pain and to access the frequency of postoperative analgesics used following various dental procedures in children aged 4-10 years. 

 Methods and Materials:  60 patients were split equally into resorative and extraction procedures and then each group was subdivided into a preoperative acetominophen group and a placebo group.   Inclusion criteria was no history of mental or systemic illness, currently not taking any medications, age 4-10 years, at least one dental extraction or restorative procedure needed, and parent or guardian available to evaluate postoperative condition for atleast 6 hours following procedure.  The parents were asked to wait one hour before reporting and then reported every hour for six hours following the procedure whether or not pain related behaviors were observed and timing of analgesic administration if given. 

Result/Summary:  The results showed that regardless of the procedure being performed there was a high prevalence of post operative pain.  There was not a statistically significant difference in the acetaminophen group vs. the placebo group given preoperativelly for postoperative pain.  

Assessment of article:  Good article