EVALUATION OF POSTOPERATIVE PAIN AND ANXIETY IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS UNDERGOING ORAL SURGERY WITH LOCAL ANESTHESIA ALONE VS. CONSCIOUS SEDATION

This study evaluates the postoperative pain and anxiety levels in pediatric patients undergoing oral surgery under two
anesthetic modalities: local anesthesia alone and local anesthesia combined with conscious sedation. Pediatric dental
procedures often pose challenges due to the psychological and physiological responses of children, especially
concerning pain and anxiety management. The study is a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial that
investigates how these two approaches affect postoperative outcomes. A total of 70 children, aged 4 to 12 years, were
divided into two groups: one receiving only local anesthesia and the other receiving local anesthesia combined with
conscious sedation (using agents like midazolam or nitrous oxide). Postoperative pain and anxiety were assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale and the Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale, respectively, at two key time points: immediately post-surgery and 24 hours after the procedure. The results indicated that the conscious sedation group reported significantly lower pain and anxiety scores immediately post-surgery and 24 hours later, compared to the local anesthesia-only group. Furthermore, the sedation group required fewer postoperative analgesics and showed higher caregiver satisfaction. These findings suggest that conscious sedation, when appropriately used, can significantly enhance patient comfort, alleviate anxiety, and improve overall postoperative outcomes. This study emphasizes the importance of addressing both physical and psychological aspects of care in pediatric oral surgery.