Patient Suffers Fatal Reaction To Anesthesia During Wisdom Teeth Removal

Case Overview

This case involves an overweight 25-year-old female patient who presented to a dental office for the removal of her wisdom teeth. The patient was given fentanyl, ketamine, and nitrous oxide. Following the administration of the anesthesia, the patient suffered an airway collapse and passed away. It was alleged that the patient was not adequately screened for potential anesthesia complications.

Questions to the Dentistry expert and their responses

Please describe your background as it relates to this case.

I am the professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery and have 25 years experience as course director teaching local anesthesia to dental students. I teach anesthesia regularly to oral and maxillofacial surgery residents.

What safeguards minimize anesthesia complications for high-risk patients undergoing dental procedures?

There are safety measures ranging from appropriately thorough preoperative evaluation and preparation to selection of anesthetic technique and the ability to monitor and intervene properly if complications arise.

About the expert

This highly qualified and board certified expert has 30 years of experience in dentistry. He received his BS from Duke University, and his DDS from Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry. He completed his residency and is board certified in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and is also licensed in VA and OH. He is a member of several prestigious dental associations, and has 16+ Journal Articles, 9 Book Chapters related to his expertise. He has served as Associate and Attending Staff for major hospitals in the OH region, and as an Assistant Professor in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Oral Surgery Clinic Director at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He has served as Director of Clinics at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is currently serving as Attending Staff at two major hospitals, and Clinical Professor of Oral Surgery at a Major University.