We herein report a case requiring dentaltherapy where the patient was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Dental work ups were performed under intravenous sedation. Managements of such patients with an immature mental state are often challenging.
The patient was a seventeen years old female, with a height and weight of 161cm and 42kg, respectively. She had refused intake of food from the age of thirteen and had been under medical care of the pediatric department, after repeated episodes of self-mutilation, she was placed under psychiatric care. The psychological diagnosis made was borderline personality disorder. At present she is taking five types of minor tranqulizers and drugs that promote nutritional intake.
The surgical plan that we selected was to extract her wisdom tooth separately from the surgery for pericoronitis. The first surgery was for the extraction of her right superior and inferior wisdom teeth. Midazolam and ketamine were used as medicaments for sedation. Sedation was induced successfully however when the local anesthesia was administered onset of personality disorder manifested and propofol was administered to complete the surgery. On her way back to the ward, breath-holding spells appeared and SpO
2 fell to 74%. Artificial respiration (Mechanical ventilation) was promptly commenced. The state of apnea persisted and spontaneous respiration did not return for an hour.
From our experience with her first surgery, propofol was selected for the second sergery. As with the first surgery, on her way back to the ward, breath-holding spells appeared and SpO
2 dropped to 56% and her consciousness became delirious with signs of cyanosis. Artificial respiration (Mechanical ventilation) was commenced since the state of apnea persisted and spontaneous respiration did not return for an hour.
On both occasions surgery and dental treatments were successfully completed and she was discharged. We are still corresponding with the patient regarding her ongoing treatment at the hospital.
Dental anesthesiologists must offer a safe environment involving various methods of dental treatment in patients with psychiatric disorders. We also recognize the importance of establishing a good rapport with the patient and assisting and supporting the patient in stabilizing the mental state of these patients.
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