71 - Effect of Suction Device Type on Risk of Oral-Surgical Fires

Effect of Suction Device Type on Risk of Oral-Surgical Fires. E. ASDELL* , J. JONES, J. YEPES, M. SAXEN, G. ECKERT, A. SCULLY (Indiana University School of Dentistry). Increase in supplemental oxygen concentration during dental surgical procedures in the oropharyngeal region is associated with oxygen pooling and an increased risk of oral airway fires. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of intraoral suctioning on decreasing the oxygen concentration to safe levels in a simulated oral cavity. This volumetric study evaluated three different suction tips and their effectiveness at reducing unsafe oxygen levels in a simulated oral cavity of a 10-year-old. Five liters/minutes of supplemental oxygen was added to the simulated oral environment via nasal canula. Oxygen concentration was recorded at 10 second intervals with alternative periods of suction devices turned off and on. Groups tested include: Control (no suction), High-Speed Dental Suction Tip (HVE), surgical Yankauer Suction Tip (YS) and a standard Fixed Tip Saliva Ejector (FTSE). HVE and YS decreased oxygen concentration faster than the FTSE (p <.001). HVE and YS reduced oxygen concentration to a safe level after 45 seconds of suctioning. Oxygen levels were not reduced to a safe level within one minute using FTSE. Oxygen levels during all suction time periods never went below 21%. HVE and YS are recommended compared to FTSE for reducing intraoral oxygen concentrations to a safe level during dental procedures using 5 L/min of supplemental oxygen in order to reduce oropharyngeal fire risk. Research supported by the Indiana University School of Dentistry Graduate Student Research Committee.