Delayed awakening time from general anesthesia for dental treatment of patients with disabilities

BACKGROUND: Patients with disabilities often require general anesthesia for dental treatment because of their cooperative or physical problems. Since most patients with disabilities take central nervous system drugs, the management of recovery status is important because of drug interactions with anesthetics. METHODS: The anesthesia records of patients under general anesthesia for dental treatment were reviewed, and data were collected. Healthy patients under general anesthesia for dental phobia or severe gagging reflex were designated as the control group. Patients with disabilities were divided into two groups: those not taking any medication and those taking antiepileptic medications. The awakening time was evaluated in 354 patients who underwent dental treatment under general anesthesia (92 healthy patients, 183 patients with disabilities, and 79 patients with disabilities taking an antiepileptic drug). Based on the data recorded in anesthesia records, the awakening time was calculated, and statistical processes were used to determine the factors affecting awakening time. RESULTS: Significant differences in awakening time were found among the three groups. The awakening time from anesthesia in patients with disabilities (13.09 ± 5.83 min) (P < 0.0001) and patients taking antiepileptic drugs (18.18 ± 7.81 min) (P < 0.0001) were significantly longer than in healthy patients (10.29 ± 4.87 min). CONCLUSION: The awakening time from general anesthesia is affected by the disability status and use of antiepileptic drugs.