Postoperative adverse reactions in dental treatment under general anesthesia: a comparative analysis between preschool and school-age children in China

Background: To investigate the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions in children dental treatment under dental general anesthesia (DGA) and to compare the difference in distribution between preschool and school-age children in China. Methods: Participants of this study were 130 preschool children and 128 school-age children who underwent DGA from January to September 2024. Data collected included questionnaire-based basic information, postoperative complications and a parental satisfaction survey within three days. Date was analyzed and compared between two group. Results: 84.9% of the included children experienced ≥1 adverse reactions. The incidence of postoperative adverse reactions was higher in preschool children than that in school-age children (91.4% vs. 78.5%, p < 0.05). The most common adverse reactions in both groups were pain and negative emotions. The incidence of postoperative pain (75.4%), negative emotions (76.2%), significant occlusal discomfort (23.1%), fever (13.1%) and the average number of treated teeth (15 ± 3.7), root canal treatments (3.3 ± 2.2) and pulpotomies (2.0 ± 1.9) was higher in preschool children than that in school-age children (57.8%, 29.7%, 7.8% , 4.7% and 14 ± 3.1, 1.9 ± 1.6 and 1.2 ± 1.6, respectively) (p < 0.05). The probability of drowsiness was higher in school-age children than that in preschool children (22.7% vs. 10%, p < 0.05). The average number of extractions in preschool children was lower than in school-age children (1.8 ± 1.9 vs. 3.1 ± 2.7, p < 0.05). In addition, the average number of full crown treatments in preschool children was higher than in school-age children, yet without statistically significant difference (5.1 ± 2.3 vs. 3.3 ± 2.2, p > 0.05). Conclusions: Children may experience very high probability of postoperative adverse reactions after DGA. Preschool children may develop more adverse reactions than school-age children, necessitating more attention and effective soothing measures for this group of children.

Pediatric dentistry; General anesthesia; Adverse reactions; Dental treatment

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