Special features of mask anaesthesia in children | Mask anaesthesia

Special features of mask anaesthesia in children

For children, too, mask anaesthesia is only suitable for short operations and cannot be applied in a generalized manner for every operation. Children often receive the anaesthetic drugs as gas via the mask, which is later used for ventilation, rather than via a venous access.

Mask anaesthesia at the dentist

A mask anaesthesia is a type of general anaesthesia. General anesthesia is rarely needed at the dentist’s office and requires that the dental office has a special operating area and works with a team of anesthesiologists. However, for some dental diseases, it is still possible that a procedure is performed under general anesthesia.

Depending on the standard of the practice or clinic, the anaesthetics are given either through the vein or through the mask as a gas. After the patient is asleep, a small tube is inserted into the trachea. Ventilation via mask is impossible during dental surgery. Find more information under: General anesthesia at the dentist

What are the alternatives to mask anaesthesia?

There are two common alternatives to mask anaesthesia. Firstly, ventilation can be performed in the classic manner using a ventilation hose. The gentler method is the insertion of a laryngeal mask.

The laryngeal mask seals the area above the larynx with a soft cushion that is inflated. Ventilation is then administered in the same way as anesthesia with a breathing tube, but one has the advantage that the vocal chords and trachea are not damaged by the breathing tube. The laryngeal mask is also only useful for short procedures and patients must be completely fasting, as with mask anaesthesia.