Minor Oral Surgical Procedures

Surgical procedures in children are often required for alleviation of pain, or removal of pathologic or aberrant entities from the oral cavity. The general principles for surgical management are relevant in children as well. Due to behavioral and cooperation problems in children the minor surgical procedures should be planned well, taking into consideration all aspects. Commonly seen problems in the oral cavity are high frenal attachment, cyst, hyperplasia of gingiva either localized or generalized, supernumerary teeth, mucocele and ranula1. These procedures are minor in nature and rarely requires hospitalization. Minor oral surgical procedures performed on pediatric patients involves a number of special considerations like preoperative evaluation, anesthetic considerations and postoperative care. Preoperative evaluation involves history taking and doing an examination. Patients with underlying diseases like cardiovascular disease, bleeding disorders, epilepsy, etc should be given particular attention and all necessary preventive measures should be taken, in cooperation with the physician treating the patients.