Methemoglobin Levels in Generally Anesthetized Pediatric Dental Patients Receiving Local Anesthetics

NCT01402869 — Not applicable, Completed, 91 participants, Loma Linda University

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Methemoglobin Levels in Generally Anesthetized Pediatric Dental Patients Receiving Prilocaine Versus Lidocaine

RegistryNCT01402869
StatusCompleted
PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional; randomized, parallel, masking: none
Enrollment91 (Actual)
SponsorLoma Linda University (Other)
ConditionsMethemoglobinemia
Interventions4% prilocaine plain, 2% Lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine (Drug)
Datesstart 2011-08-01, primary completion 2012-07-01, completion 2012-07-01, first posted 2011-07-26, last updated 2014-04-25
Locations1 site in United States

Related Papers Related Patents Related Grants Related Experts
All trials for Methemoglobinemia All trials of 4% prilocaine plain All trials of 2% Lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine

-Summary

To establish and compare maximum methemoglobin blood levels and times to maximum methemoglobin blood levels following the administration of the injectable local anesthetics prilocaine and lidocaine when used for dental treatment in pediatric patients under general anesthesia. Patients will be randomized into three equal study groups. Two of the study groups will receive local anesthetic and the third group will not. Methemoglobin blood levels will be non-invasively monitored and recorded throughout dental treatment for all groups using a Masimo Radical-7 Pulse Co-Oximeter device.

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+Detailed description

Methemoglobin is an abnormal hemoglobin that is formed by the oxidation of one or more of the four heme groups of hemoglobin by oxygen and other exogenous oxidizing agents. The injectable local anesthetic prilocaine that is routinely used in the medical and dental professions is a well known inducer of methemoglobin. The injectable local anesthetic lidocaine has also been suggested to be associated with the development of methemoglobin; however, there is no direct evidence supporting these claims.

The concern with methemoglobin is that it is a dose-dependent toxin. The oxidation of one of the iron groups from a ferrous state to a ferric state alters the molecular structure of the hemoglobin molecule and impairs its ability to bind oxygen. This ultimately results in less oxygen being delivered to peripheral tissues and less carbon dioxide being removed which can cause tissue hypoxia. A small amount (0-2%) of methemoglobin is normally present in the blood as a result of the oxidation of hemoglobin by the prototypical oxidant oxygen. However, when an individual is exposed to an exogenous oxidizing agent of sufficient dosage and potency, methemoglobin levels can rise above 2% and a person can develop what is known as acquired methemoglobinemia. Signs of cyanosis as a result of acquired methemoglobinemia usually become present when methemoglobin blood levels rise above 15%.

Despite the injectable local anesthetic prilocaine being a well known inducer of methemoglobin and lidocaine being a speculated inducer, there are no documented studies or trials in the dental literature as to the extent of the amount of methemoglobin that is formed following the routine use of these injectable local anesthetics.

This investigation will examine the peak blood levels of methemoglobin and the time to the peak levels of methemoglobin following the use of injectable prilocaine and lidocaine when used for dental treatment in pediatric patients under general anesthesia.

This study population will consist of 90 patients, 3 to 6 years of age, scheduled to undergo comprehensive dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia at the Koppel Special Care Dentistry Center at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Following enrollment, subjects will be randomized into three equal study groups: 1) 4% prilocaine plain, 2) 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine, and 3) No local anesthetic. All subjects will have a Masimo Radical-7 pediatric, non-disposable, pulse co-oximeter sensor placed on the ring finger of the right hand following the induction of general anesthesia. The sensor will then be connected to a Radical-7 Pulse Co-Oximeter. The pulse co-oximeter will non-invasively monitor and record methemoglobin blood levels at 10 second intervals throughout dental treatment. Following a routine oral examination, radiographs, and prophylaxis, subjects assigned to Groups 1 and 2 will be administered local anesthetic for restorative dental treatment. Group 1 subjects will receive 5mg/kg of 4% prilocaine plain and Group 2 subjects will receive 2.5mg/kg of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine. Group 3 subjects will not receive local anesthetic. The time of local anesthetic administration and baseline methemoglobin blood levels will be recorded. Methemoglobin blood levels will be monitored and recorded throughout the completion of the dental treatment and during recovery from general anesthesia until subject movement precludes any further monitoring.

+Arms and interventions

ArmTypeInterventionsDescription
PrilocaineExperimentalDrug: 4% prilocaine plain30 subjects will receive 5mg/kg of 4% prilocaine plain local anesthetic for restorative dental treatment under general anesthesia
LidocaineExperimentalDrug: 2% Lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine30 subjects will receive 2.5mg/kg of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine local anesthetic for restorative dental treatment under general anesthesia
No local anestheticNo intervention30 subjects will not receive local anesthetic for dental treatment under general anesthesia-Negative control
  • 4% prilocaine plain (Drug), also known as Citanest Plain: 5mg/kg via infiltration into multiple sites of the buccal mucosa of mouth 1 time prior to start of restorative dental treatment
  • 2% Lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine (Drug), also known as Xylocaine: 2.5mg/kg via infiltration into multiple sites of buccal mucosa of mouth 1 time prior to restorative dental treatment

+Outcome measures

Primary outcomes

  • Peak Methemoglobin Blood Levels [Measured at 10 second intervals during dental treatment for an average of 2 hours]: The maximum percentage of methemoglobin in blood

Secondary outcomes

  • Time to Peak Methemoglobin Blood Levels [Measured at 10 second intervals during dental treatment for an average of 2 hours]: The length of time between the administration of local anesthetic (Prilocaine and Lidocaine Groups) or start of restorative dental procedures (No local anesthetic Group) and the time at which the maximum methemoglobin blood level is observed.
  • Delta Methemoglobin Blood Level [From administration of local anesthetic or start of restorative procedures to time at which maximum methemoglobin blood level was documented during dental treatment for an average of 2 hours]: Change in percentage of methemoglobin in blood from baseline level to peak level

+Eligibility

Sex: All, ages: 3 Years to 5 Years, accepts healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient scheduled to undergo comprehensive dental treatment under general anesthesia at the Koppel Special Care Dentistry Center at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry
* ASA I or II health status
* Age greater than 3 years but less than 6 years
* Weigh between 10kg and 25kg

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient not requiring restorative dental treatment
* Have a BMI less than the 5th percentile or greater than the 95th percentile for their age and gender

+Posted results

Participant flow

MilestonePrilocaineLidocaineNo Local Anesthetic
Started303031
Completed303030
Not completed001

Outcome results

  • Peak Methemoglobin Blood Levels (Primary), Mean, percentage of methemoglobin in blood: Prilocaine 3.55 +/- 1.22; Lidocaine 1.63 +/- 0.52; No Local Anesthetic 1.60 +/- 0.45 (p <.001)
  • Time to Peak Methemoglobin Blood Levels (Secondary), Mean, minutes: Prilocaine 62.73 +/- 23.78; Lidocaine 57.50 +/- 30.67; No Local Anesthetic 29.50 +/- 20.36 (p <.001)
  • Delta Methemoglobin Blood Level (Secondary), Mean, percentage of methemoglobin in blood: Prilocaine 2.73 +/- 1.23; Lidocaine 0.78 +/- 0.44; No Local Anesthetic 0.76 +/- 0.48 (p <.001)

Adverse events

Time frame: Reported adverse events include those that occurred at or after the administration of local anesthetic in the Prilocaine and Lidocaine Groups or the start of restorative dental procedures in the No Local Anesthetic Group.

ArmDeathsSerious adverse eventsOther adverse events
Prilocaine00/30 (0.0%)0/30 (0.0%)
Lidocaine00/30 (0.0%)0/30 (0.0%)
No Local Anesthetic00/30 (0.0%)0/30 (0.0%)

Limitations and caveats: Did not compare locals anesthetics with equivalent concentrations of epinephrine; unable to control length of time methemoglobin blood levels were monitored as all subjects varied in extent of restorative dental procedures needed.

+Locations (1)

FacilityCityCountryStatus
Loma Linda University School of Dentistry Koppel Special Care Dentistry CenterLoma Linda, CaliforniaUnited States

+Publications

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+Investigators