Mortality and morbidity with outpatient anesthesia: the Massachusetts experience

Abstract

Purpose: This study documented the incidence of mortality and morbidity for outpatient anesthesia delivered by oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Massachusetts.

Materials and methods: A questionnaire was mailed to the 151 active members of the Massachusetts Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and all members responded. Information regarding the incidence of specific anesthetic morbidity was reported for 1 year (1994), and the incidence of mortality for 5 years (1990 to 1994) was requested.

Results: Approximately 1,500,000 patients underwent office treatment in the 5-year period without an office anesthetic death. The most common complication was syncope occurring in 1 of every 142 patients receiving local anesthesia. In patients undergoing general anesthesia, laryngospasm occurred 10 times more frequently than bronchospasm. The incidence of other specific anesthetic complications are documented.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the incidence of death associated with office anesthesia, although small initially, has decreased.