Despite increasing popularity of dental implants, there is limited information on the pain experience associated with the surgical implant placement under general anesthesia. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of patient-reported pain and efficacy of patient controlled analgesia after implant surgery under general anesthesia.

Total 39 patients who underwent implant surgery under general aensthesia were enrolled. In PCA group (n=30), patients received patient controlled analgesia (fentanyl 700 mg and ketorolac 150 mg) set to basal rate 1 ml/h, bolus 1 ml, and lockout interval 10 min. In control group (n=9), patients received ketorolac 30 mg intravenously when they feel painful. We evaluated pain intensity using VAS score at the end and after 12 hr of the operation and recorded the number of bolus injection as a surrogate of rescue therapy. We compared the VAS data, the frequency of complication between two groups.

The self reported pain was highest at 1 hous after surgery in both groups. However, the intensity was not severe (PCA group = 5.7, control group = 5.6), and decreased gradually thereafter. Total demand bolus number was less than 6 in nearly 65% patients. And there was no significant difference in the frequency of complications such as nausea, vomiting and dizziness between both groups.

The Pain following the surgical placement of dental implants was generally mild and gradually decreased with time. There was no difference in complications between control group and PCA group.