Is it safe for my Down syndrome brother to undergo four GAs within 1.2 years?

Question

Hi doctor,

My brother is 29 years old with Down syndrome, and he is completely non-cooperative with dentists. He had nine teeth removed (two up and seven down) under general anesthesia. As three teeth were broken when the dentist was trying to clean them, they were removed.

Since my brother has no molars to bite on, my father decided to get him five implants done. Following consultation with seven different dentists, they stated that the treatment plan requires him to take general anesthesia (GA) four different times during a time period of 1.2 years. In my country, there is no alternative to undergo treatment for my brother except through GA. I want to inquire about two things:

1. Is there any alternative other than GA for highly uncooperative patients?

2. Do you think it is safe for my Down syndrome brother to undergo four GAs within 1.2 years? Is this very risky?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I hope I can lessen your discomfort. Yes, conscious sedation can be a better option than general anesthesia. Talk to the concerned oral surgeon and get him treated under conscious sedation. Also, the complications associated with general anesthesia are the same in every patient, whether normal or Down syndrome cases. So in terms of risk and safety, go for conscious sedation (Nitrous oxide). Only oxygen levels are to be maintained; otherwise, it is better than GA.