Pharmacodynamic responses of exogenous epinephrine during mandibular third molar surgery

BACKGROUND: The systemic effects attributable to the injection of dental local anesthetic solutions have been the subject of discussion for many years. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the biochemical and hemodynamic effects of adrenaline in lignocaine local anesthetic solutions when used in clinical doses in patients undergoing third molar surgery under general anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the total 30 patients, 15 were given local anesthetic solution containing adrenaline and the other 15 were given the same without adrenaline. Hemodynamic and biochemical parameters were recorded at considerable intervals. The changes from the pre-local anesthetic (baseline) values with each treatment were compared by analysis of variance and Student's t-test. The changes within each treatment were compared by the paired t-test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: This study shows that exogenous adrenaline administration in clinical doses produces systemic effects even in conditions where the endogenous release of the catecholamines would be expected to be considerable.