Analysis of performed paediatric oral and maxillofacial procedures under general anaesthesia over a two-year period in a North London NHS Trust

Dental treatment remains one of the most common reasons for paediatric patients to undergo a general anaesthetic (GA). In addition to a wider scope of practice, oral and maxillofacial (OMF) surgeons are affiliated with this well-reported dentoalveolar surgical burden. Thus far much of the research has shown that the majority of these paediatric GAs are for the treatment of decayed teeth. The aim of this study was to evaluate reasons children in a North London region undergo GA procedures in an OMF department and this population's associated demographic factors. Patients treated by this OMF unit from 2016 to 2017 aged 0-16 were included. Retrospective data was obtained; including age, gender, and ASA physical status. Deprivation was calculated from postcodes using the Index of Multiple Deprivation. Chi squared statistical tests were applied. Data from 600 children undergoing 790 procedures were analysed. A similar number of males and females were treated. The most common age group were the 13-16-year-olds. A total of 89.5% of the patients were ASA I. The greatest surgical burden was simple orthodontic extractions, accounting for 24.4% of all OMF paediatric GA procedures. Deprivation impacted the prevalence of the extraction of carious teeth, soft tissue trauma, and orthodontic-related surgery. In the region studied, more paediatric patients are undergoing GA for orthodontic-related surgery than for the extraction of decayed teeth. The type of facial trauma experienced changes with the age of the child.