Complications of local anesthesia used in oral and maxillofacial surgery

Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2011 Aug;23(3):369-77. doi: 10.1016/j.coms.2011.04.009.

Abstract

Local anesthetics are used routinely in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Local anesthetics are safe and effective drugs but do have risks that practitioners need to be aware of. This article reviews the complications of local anesthesia. A brief history is provided and the regional and systemic complications that can arise from using local anesthesia are discussed. These complications include paresthesia, ocular complications, allergies, toxicity, and methemoglobinemia. Understanding the risks involved with local anesthesia decreases the chances of adverse events occurring and ultimately leads to improved patient care.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anesthesia, Dental / adverse effects*
  • Anesthesia, Local / adverse effects*
  • Anesthetics, Local / adverse effects
  • Anesthetics, Local / toxicity
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / etiology
  • Eye / blood supply
  • Eye / drug effects
  • Eye / innervation
  • Humans
  • Methemoglobinemia / chemically induced
  • Oral Surgical Procedures*
  • Paresthesia / chemically induced
  • Risk Factors
  • Vision Disorders / chemically induced

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Local