The use of inhalation sedation and local anaesthesia instead of general anaesthesia for extractions and minor oral surgery in children: a prospective study.

One hundred and thirty-three children aged 4-17 years were treated to assess the viability of operating a regular inhalation sedation service for extractions and minor oral surgery in children. The study evaluated treatment success, assessed parents' and children's satisfaction, and compared the cost of inhalation sedation with that of existing general anaesthesia services. Eighty-four per cent of the children had been referred for orthodontic extractions. Treatment was successfully completed for 120 of the patients; 201 permanent and 130 primary teeth were extracted and six minor surgical procedures were performed. Postal questionnaire assessment of the parents' and children's views showed that 97% were satisfied with the treatment provided. Of those parents who had previous experience of general anaesthesia, 79% stated that inhalation sedation was 'better' or 'much better' than general anaesthesia. It was estimated that the cost of providing treatment under inhalation sedation was considerable less than under general anaesthesia. It was concluded that it is viable to offer a regular inhalation sedation service for orthodontic extractions in children because it is clinically successful, acceptable to children and their parents, and cost-effective.