Conscious sedation with anxiolytic benzodiazepines in oral surgery according to the Manani protocol: a case series

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of conscious sedation with benzodiazepines performed by general dentists in patients undergoing oral surgery procedures. A group of consecutive patients undergoing oral surgery, between March and June 2015, was evaluated. The Manani protocol was performed in all cases; subjects were pre-sedated with chlordemetyldiazepam (EN) 1-2 mg, while induction of maximum subjective tranquillity was obtained with fractionated doses of intravenous diazepam (VALIUM). No additional dose of i.v. diazepam was administered during the operation. Preoperative anxiety level was evaluated with Corah Dental Anxiety Scale and Visual Analogue Score for anxiety (VAS-A). Fifteen consecutive Caucasian patients (10 women and 5 men, mean age 56.8, range 35-80) were enrolled. The dose of chlordemethyldiazepam was 1 mg for 4 patients and 2 mg for 11, according VAS-A and Corah test. The mean dose of i.v. diazepam necessary to obtain maximal preoperative subjective tranquillity was 5.8 mg (range 4-10).