Abstract

Objectives This investigation was designed to study the haemodynamic effects of two different local anaesthetic solutions during restorative dental treatment in children.

Design A randomised, single-blind, split-mouth cross-over design was employed using children undergoing bilaterally similar restorative treatments over two visits.

Setting The study was performed in a dental hospital paediatric dentistry department.

Methods Ten children participated. At one visit the local anaesthetic was 2% lidocaine (lignocaine) with 1:80,000 epinephrine (adrenaline); at the other the anaesthetic was 3% prilocaine with 0.03IU/ml felypressin. Local anaesthetic was administered at a dose of 0.5 ml/10 kg body weight. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and during treatment with an automatic blood pressure recorder. Data were analysed by ANOVA and Student's paired t test.

Results Significant differences between treatments in diastolic blood pressure (F = 2.37; P = 0.05) and heart rate (F = 2.98; P < 0.02) were noted. The heart rate increased ten minutes following the injection of the epinephrine-containing solution. The diastolic blood pressure fell 20 minutes after injection of lidocaine with epinephrine.

Conclusion The choice of local anaesthetic solution influences the haemodynamic response during restorative treatment in children.

1. Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Dental School, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne
2. Specialist Registrar, Department of Child Dental Health, Newcastle Dental Hospital
3. Consultant, Department of Child Dental Health, Newcastle Dental Hospital

Correspondence to: J G Meechan¹ Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Dental School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BW
e-mail: J.G.Meechan@ncl.ac.uk