Evaluation of two sedation methods during third molar surgery

Objective: the aim of the present study was to evaluate the anxiety and the physiological parameters during two sedation techniques. Methods: 30 volunteers were submitted to third molars extraction during sedation with G1 - 0.5mg of alprazolam (Frontal®), p.o., 1 hour before surgery; and G2 - nitrous oxide/oxygen. Physiological parameters (glycemia, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and heart rate) were verified prior to the procedure. Glycemia was also measured after local anesthesia and after the surgery. Cardiovascular parameters were measured every 10 min during the surgery. Visual Analogical Scale (VAS) was used to assess the anxiety immediately before the medication (T1), 30 min after the beginning of the surgery (T2) and 30 min after the end of the procedure (T3). The psychomotor performance was evaluated by the Trieger test before (BE) and after (AF) the surgery. The data were analyzed by the Friedman test (alpha=5%). The preference for the sedation method was assessed by a formulary (FOR). Results: The cardiovascular parameters and glycemia remained stable during all periods evaluated (p>0.05) for both methods. VAS (mean±SEM) for T1, T2 and T3 was 48.8(±4.0) mm, 57.1(±5.5) mm and 14.5(±2.6) mm for G1 and 35.0(±3.7) mm, 38.1(±7.0) mm and 23.8(±4.2) mm for G2. Volunteers were significantly (p<0.05) more anxious at T1 and T2 periods than T3 for G1. The number of missing points (mean±SEM) on the Trieger test (BE and AF) was 6.1(±1.12) and 9.4(±1.15) for G1 and 6.0(±0.86) and 5.2(±0.83) for G2. Missing points were significantly higher (p<0.05) at AF period for G1. FOR reveled that 95 % of the volunteers preferred G2. Conclusion: The two methods were efficient to keep the physiological parameters stable. Nitrous oxide/oxygen allowed prompt conscious recovery and better anxiety control during the procedure. Supported by FAPESP #07/50737-9.