Hyaluronidase Increases the Duration of Mepivacaine in Inferior Alveolar Nerve Blocks
Purpose
To evaluate the duration of the effect of mepivacaine when hyaluronidase is injected immediately prior to the end of pulpal anesthesia.
Patients and Methods
Forty bilateral, symmetrical third molar surgeries were performed in 20 healthy patients. Inferior alveolar nerve block was induced using 2.8 mL 2% mepivacaine with epinephrine. Hyaluronidase (75 turbidity-reducing units) or a placebo was injected 40 minutes after the beginning of pulpar anesthesia (randomized and double-blind trial). The duration of effect in the pulpal and gingival tissues was evaluated by response to painful electrical stimuli applied to the adjacent premolar, and by mechanical stimuli (pin prick) to the vestibular gingiva, respectively.
Results
In both tissues, the duration of anesthetic effect with hyaluronidase was longer (P < .01) than with the placebo.
Conclusion
Hyaluronidase increases the duration of mepivacaine in inferior alveolar nerve blocks.
⁎Masters Degree Student, Integrated Dental Clinic, Department of Estomatology, College of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
†Investigator, Integrated Dental Clinic, Department of Estomatology, College of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
‡Professor, Integrated Dental Clinic, Department of Estomatology, College of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
§Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
∥Professor and Chairman, Integrated Dental Clinic, Department of Estomatology, College of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
¶Professor, Integrated Dental Clinic, Department of Estomatology, College of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Tempestini Horliana: Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Av Professor Lineu Prestes, 2227, Cidade Universitária, 05508-900 São Paulo, Brazil
This study was funded by grants from CAPES/Brazil.
ABSTRACT