Abstract
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Liver disorders are important to the dentist due to a potential bleeding tendency; intolerance to drugs, e.g. general anaesthetics and benzodiazepines; and the possibility of the underlying infective causes for the liver dysfunction.
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Signs of liver disease include jaundice, spider naevi, leuconychia, finger clubbing, palmar erythema, Dupuytren’s contracture, sialosis and gynaecomastia.
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The general anaesthetic agent halothane (now used infrequently) should not be given twice to the same patient within 3 months. A ‘halothane hepatitis’ is likely to result.
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Dental sedation should only be performed in specialist units for patients with significant liver disease as small doses can lead to coma.
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Greenwood, M., Meechan, J.G. (2019). Liver Disease and Dental Practice. In: General Medicine and Surgery for Dental Practitioners. BDJ Clinician’s Guides. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97737-9_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97737-9_6
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