Selection of mucocele management technique: considerations in pediatric patients.

The objectives of this article are to describe the surgical excision of an oral mucocele in a 9-year-old boy and to examine the literature on mucocele management approaches, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages in terms of a patient's ability to cooperate in the dental chair. In the present case, a 9-year-old boy who was known to be a cooperative patient underwent conventional surgical excision and tolerated the procedure well. A review of the literature from 2010 to 2018 revealed 20 relevant studies outlining a variety of approaches to mucocele management, including surgical excision, intralesional corticosteroid injection, laser removal, micromarsupialization, cryosurgery, and withholding treatment for cases in which a lesion is small and allowed to spontaneously regress. While conventional surgical excision of mucoceles is suitable for cooperative patients, alternative approaches may offer reduced chair time, minimal intraoperative bleeding, and enhanced postoperative recovery. For pediatric patients who demonstrate maladaptive behavior, certain treatment modalities may prove superior to surgical excision for the management of mucoceles.

Does Viewing a Third Molar Informed Consent Video Decrease Patients' Anxiety?

PURPOSE: Before having impacted third molars removed, patients are frequently asked to view a brief video describing the operation and its benefits and risks. The purpose of this study was to determine whether such information reduces or increases patients' anxiety level. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 100 patients presenting for consultation regarding removal of their impacted third molars completed a form asking them to grade their anxiety level before and after viewing the informational video as calm, slightly anxious, moderately anxious, or very anxious. RESULTS: Thirty-one percent reported increased anxiety after viewing the video. Only 12% showed a decrease, and in 57%, there was no change (28% were still slightly, moderately, or very anxious). Scoring of the pre- and post-viewing anxiety levels showed a statistically significant increase in anxiety after viewing. CONCLUSIONS: Viewing the video increased or did not reduce the anxiety level in a significant number of patients. Therefore, it is important to complement this video with positive verbal and written reinforcement of such aspects as patient comfort, procedural safety, and adequate pain control.