Pain perception in paediatric patients: evaluation of computerised anaesthesia delivery system vs conventional infiltration anaesthesia in paediatric patients.

Aim: The aim of the present study is to compare the effectiveness of a computerised system (QuickSleeper) compared to traditional syringe in injection of local anaesthetic focusing on the perception of anxiety and pain in paediatric patients.

Methods: Study design: 100 children aged between 3 and 15 years in need of two dental treatments that required local anaesthesia were selected and treated randomly but alternately with computerised and traditional local anaesthesia. After each anaesthetic injection, patient's anxiety was measured using the Venham test.

Results: Electronic anaesthesia showed statistically significant better results than traditional anaesthesia according to the Venham pain scale, in both mandibular and maxillary sites. Statistics: Data were analysed using the paired Wilcoxon test.

Conclusion: The computer-assisted anaesthesia system resulted in a significantly lower pain perception score and yielded to helpful, cooperative behaviour. For this reason, it is an advantageous alternative to traditional injection anaesthesia and can avoid invasive treatments and trauma for young patients.