Dysrhythmias associated with oral surgery.

Seventy-eight fit adult patients undergoing minor oral surgery received one of three intravenous premedications or were unpremedicated. Cardiac rhythm was monitored during surgery. A significantly higher incidence of dysrhythmias was associated with intravenous atropine 0-3 mg/given prior to surgery. Droperidol 0-1 mg/kg did not act prophylactically as an anti-dysthythmic agent in comparison with the control group. A further trial of eighteen cases suggested that atropine 0-6 mg intramuscularly followed by controlled ventilation may be effective in preventing dysrhythmias.