The Journal of the American Dental Association
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The management of a broken short 30-gauge hypodermic needle after an inferior alveolar dental nerve block in a 3-year-old child is discussed. Because of the possibility of the needle migrating toward vital structures, and because of the psychologic and medicolegal implications that could arise, we believed that the needle should be immediately removed with surgical procedures.
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Malignant hyperthermia is a hypermetabolic, frequently fatal syndrome triggered by anesthetic drugs that occurs in genetically susceptible persons. Fatalities have been reported in patients receiving dental treatment with general anesthesia. ⋯ However, criteria for identifying most susceptible persons have been established, and therapeutic agents for prophylaxis and treatment, which appear to be effective, are available. In this paper we report experiences with the syndrome and discuss an overview of its features, criteria used for identifying susceptible persons, prophylaxis, diagnostic features, and procedures to be followed should the syndrome develop.