Comparison of ketamine-propofol and ketamine-dexmedetomidine combinations in children for sedation during tooth extraction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency of ketamine-propofol and ketamine-dexmedetomidine drugs in children for sedation during tooth extraction. METHODS: The randomised, prospective study was conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey, from September to November 2013, and comprised children who were due to undergo tooth extraction. Non-invasive blood pressures (systolic and diastolic), peripheral oxygen saturation, heart and respiratory rates and Ramsay Sedation Scores were assessed at baseline, after applying the drugs and then every 5 minutes thereafter. Further, the ketamine-propofol group received 1mg kg-1 of ketamine and propofol, and the ketamine-dexmedetomidine group received 1mg kg-1 of ketamine + 0.5 microg kg1 of dexmedetomidine. RESULTS: Of the 60 participants, there were 30 (50%) in each group. No statistically significant differences were found in terms of heart rate, non-invasive blood pressures at any time and the number of drug repetitions (p>0.05). Nausea-vomiting was statistically higher in the ketamine-dexmedetomidine group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ketamine-propofol might be a better option due to lower vomiting and nausea episodes and higher surgeon satisfaction levels.