• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.154-157
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• 2015

Plastibell is one of the three most common devices used for neonatal circumcision in the United States, with a complication rate as low as 1.8%. The Plastibell circumcision device is commonly used under local anesthesia for religious circumcision in male neonates, because of cosmetic reasons and ease of use. Occasionally, instead of falling off, the device may get buried under the skin along the shaft of the penis, thereby obstructing the normal flow of urine. Furthermore, the foreskin of neonates is highly vascularized, and hence, hemorrhage and infection are possible when the skin is cut. Necrosis of penile skin, followed by urethral obstruction and renal failure, is a serious surgical mishap requiring immediate corrective surgery and medical attention. We report a case of fulminant urosepsis, acute renal failure, and pyelonephritis in a 4-day-old male neonate secondary to impaction of a Plastibell circumcision device. Immediate medical management was initiated with fluid resuscitation and mechanical ventilation; thereby correcting life threatening complications. Pediatricians and Emergency Department physicians should be cognizant of the complications from Plastibell circumcision device in order to institute appropriate and timely management in neonates.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.227-233
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• 2019

Background: Dental anxiety in children is a major barrier in patient management. If dental anxiety in pediatric patients is assessed during the first visit, it will not only aid in management but also help to identify patients who are in need of special care to deal with their fear. Nowadays, children and adults are highly interested in multimedia and are closely associated with them. Children usually prefer motion pictures on electronic devices than still cartoons on paper. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate a newly designed scale, the animated emoji scale (AES), which uses motion emoticons/animojis to assess dental anxiety in children during their first dental visit, and compare it with the Venham picture test (VPT) and facial image scale (FIS). Methods: The study included 102 healthy children aged 4-14 years, whose dental anxiety was measured using AES, VPT, and FIS during their first dental visit, and their scale preference was recorded. Results: The mean anxiety scores measured using AES, FIS, and VPT, represented as $mean{\pm}SD$, were $1.78{\pm}1.19$, $1.93{\pm}1.23$, and $1.51{\pm}1.84$, respectively. There was significant difference in the mean anxiety scores between the three scales (Friedman test, P < 0.001). The Pearson's correlation test showed a very strong correlation (0.73) between AES and VPT, and a strong correlation between AES and FIS (0.88), and FIS and VPT (0.69), indicating good validity of AES. Maximum number of children (74.5%) preferred AES. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the AES is a novel and child-friendly tool for assessing dental anxiety in children.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.357-367
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• 2022

Background: Low-dose dexmedetomidine may be a suitable alternative to opioids for pediatric ambulatory procedures under general anesthesia (GA). However, the recovery profile remains unclear. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the effects of low-dose dexmedetomidine on the recovery profile of children. Methods: Seventy-two children undergoing ambulatory oral rehabilitation under GA were randomly and equally distributed into two groups (D and F). Group D received an infusion of dexmedetomidine 0.25 ㎍/kg for 4 min for induction, followed by maintenance of 0.4 ㎍/kg/h. Group F received an infusion of fentanyl 1 ㎍/kg over 4 min for induction, followed by maintenance at 1 ㎍/kg/h. The primary outcome was the extubation time. The secondary outcomes were awakening time, end-tidal sevoflurane (ET-Sevo) requirement, change in hemodynamic parameters, Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS), Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario pain scale (CHEOPS) score, length of PACU stay, and incidence of adverse events. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in the recovery profile between the groups: the median time for extubation was 3.65 (3.44-6.2) vs. 6.25 (4.21-7) minutes in groups D vs. F (P=0.001), respectively, while the corresponding awakening times were 19 (18.75-21) and 22.5 (22-24) minutes, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean ET-Sevo was low in group D (1.1 vs. 1.2; P < 0.001). The heart rate was significantly low across all time points in group D, without resulting in bradycardia. The median RASS and CHEOPS scores were also significantly lower in group D. No significant differences were observed in the mean arterial pressure, incidence of adverse events, or length of PACU stay. Conclusion: Low-dose dexmedetomidine was more effective than fentanyl as an opioid substitute at providing a better recovery profile in pediatric ambulatory oral rehabilitation under GA. Dexmedetomidine also significantly reduced sevoflurane consumption without causing adverse events or prolonging hospital stay.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.213-217
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• 2010

The use of chloral hydrate and hydroxyzine for oral sedation is most effective in children aged less than 36 months and weighing less than 15 kg. Children who do not belong to this category may show frequent movements due to shallow sedation level, and it can lead to sedation failures. One of the solutions to such sedation failure is conversion to deeper sedation. But, it is not so much of an option, since inhalation anesthetics and devices are required. In this case, conversion from oral sedation to intravenous sedation was successfully achieved without causing injection pain while searching for an intravenous route, by using EMLA cream (Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthesia). A patient aged 46 months and weighing 15 kg visited the Pediatric Department of Dankook University Dental Hospital. Treatment under TSD(Tell Show Do) was offered, but due to the parent's request, oral sedative measures were taken. Considering prompt converting from oral sedation to iv sedation in case the oral sedation fails, EMLA cream was apllied preemptively. Adequate sedation level could not be achieved after 90 minutes of oral administration, therefore, under the parent's consent, intravenous route was prepared after conscious sedation by $N_2O-O_2$. During treatment, $ETCO_2$, $SPO_2$ and heart rate was monitored every 5 minutes. The patient showed stable vital signs and did not show any movements. The whole procedure took two and a half hours in total, and the treatment was completed without any adverse effects.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2024

Background: The delivery of profound local anesthetics helps children receive successful treatment by reducing fear, anxiety, and discomfort during dental procedures. Local anesthetic injections are the most anticipated stimuli in dental surgery. Children's perceptions of pain can be altered by applying cryotherapy to precool the oral mucosa or by diverting their minds through taste distractions before administering local anesthetic injections. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cryoanesthesia and xylitol sweet-tasting solution at the injection site in 7-10-year-old children. Methods: A total of 42 participants, aged 7-10 years, who underwent dental treatment requiring local anesthesia, were enrolled in the study. The children were randomly divided into three groups. In group I, sterile water was held in the mouth for 2 minutes before anesthetic administration, similar to group II, and in group III, a xylitol sweet-tasting solution was used for 2 minutes before needle insertion. The analysis of pain perception was carried out based on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Sound, Eyes, and Motor (SEM) scale. For VAS analysis, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed for intergroup comparison, and a post hoc Tukey test was performed for subgroup analysis. For the categorical SEM scale, the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by the post hoc test was performed for intergroup comparison. Where a P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant at 95% confidence intervals. Results: Cryoanesthesia significantly reduced pain scores on VAS (4.21 ± 1.42) when compared to those on VAS with xylitol sweet-tasting solution (5.50 ± 1.40) and that with sterile water (6.14 ± 2.47). Intergroup comparison of the VAS scores among the three groups was performed using one-way ANOVA, which demonstrated statistically significant differences (P value <0.026) on the VAS scale. Intergroup comparison of the SEM scale was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by post hoc comparison, which exhibited statistically significant differences (P < 0.007) among the three groups for the SEM scale. Conclusion: Cryoanesthesia demonstrated higher efficacy in reducing injection pain than that exhibited by the xylitol sweet-tasting solution.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.105-105
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• 2020

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.193-212
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• 2023

It is important to understand patients' anxiety and fear about dental treatment. A patient's anxiety can be quantified through a self-report questionnaire, and many related scales have been developed. In this review, I tried to find out which scale is most suitable for the patient's dental anxiety and fear evaluation by examining the contents of previously developed scales and comparing the strengths and weaknesses of each scale.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2017

Pregnancy induces significant anatomical and physiological changes in the mother. Many pregnant women need dental treatment due to poor oral hygiene related to pregnancy. However, most dentists are reluctant to provide, and most pregnant women are reluctant to receive, dental treatment during pregnancy. Theoretically, maternally administered drugs are transferred to the fetus. Depending on the types of drugs and the stage of pregnancy, the effects of drugs on the mother, as well as the fetus, may vary. Local anesthetics are the most widely used in dental treatment. It is, therefore, important to understand the potential effects of local anesthetics during pregnancy. In this review, we will focus on the maternal and fetal effects of local anesthetics widely used in dental treatment with consideration of the use of local anesthetics during pregnancy.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 2020

Background: For children with cleft palates, surgeries at a young age are necessary to reduce feeding or phonation difficulties and reduce complications, especially respiratory tract infections and frequent sinusitis. We hypothesized that dexmedetomidine might prolong the postoperative analgesic duration when added to bupivacaine during nerve blocks. Methods: Eighty patients of 1-5 years old were arbitrarily assigned to two equal groups (forty patients each) to receive bilateral suprazygomatic maxillary nerve blocks. Group A received bilateral 0.2 mL/kg bupivacaine (0.125%; maximum volume 4 mL/side). Group B received bilateral 0.2 mL/kg bupivacaine (0.125%) + 0.5 ㎍/kg dexmedetomidine (maximum volume 4 mL/side). Results: The modified children's hospital of Eastern Ontario pain scale score was significantly lower in group B children after 8 hours of follow-up postoperatively (P < 0.001). Mean values of heart rate and blood pressure were significantly different between the groups, with lower mean values in group B (P < 0.001). Median time to the first analgesic demand in group A children was 10 hours (range 8-12 hr), and no patients needed analgesia in group B. The sedation score assessment was higher in children given dexmedetomidine (P = 0.03) during the first postoperative 30 minutes. Better parent satisfaction scores (5-point Likert scale) were recorded in group B and without serious adverse effects. Conclusions: Addition of dexmedetomidine 0.5 ㎍/kg to bupivacaine 0.125% has accentuated the analgesic efficacy of bilateral suprazygomatic maxillary nerve block in children undergoing primary cleft palate repair with less postoperative supplemental analgesia or untoward effects.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.238-241
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• 2018

Williams syndrome is a rare congenital disorder with various physical abnormalities and characterized by facial, oral, and dental features. Individuals with Williams syndrome typically have eating disorders in the early childhood, which lead to prolonged night feeding. Prolonged night feeding is a risk factor for rampant dental caries. Williams syndrome is caused by the microdeletion of chromosome 7, resulting in elastin deficiency. Elastin is integral to cardiovascular health. Many patients with Williams syndrome have complex cardiovascular abnormalities that must be considered a part of dental management. Complications related to cardiovascular diseases may induce adverse effects such as dangerously elevated blood pressure. This may occur in patients during stressful dental treatment. In addition, characteristics of auditory hyperalgesia and anxiety disorders among patients with William syndrome, complicate receiving routine dental management. Therefore, dental treatment under sedation or general anesthesia may be preferable for patients with Williams syndrome; in particular, patients who are very uncooperative and/or needs extensive dental treatment. A thorough evaluation of each patient's physical condition is required before making decisions regarding dental treatment. Careful monitoring and preparation for emergencies are very important during and shortly after dental treatment under general anesthesia or sedation. Monitoring is critical until vital signs have stabilized and return to normal. A 28-month-old man diagnosed as having Williams syndrome, visited the Dental Hospital of ${\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}$ University for the management of rampant dental caries. We reported on the management of this patient who had peripheral pulmonic stenosis, and received dental treatment under general anesthesia. We also reviewed the characteristics of Williams syndrome and discussed considerations for dental treatment under general anesthesia.