Monitoring is the global method of observation and data recording in relation to body organ and system function that afford constant information to ensure continuous evalutation of the patient's physical condition. Basic monitoring provides essential information for assessing the vital signs, both circulatory and respiratory, and fundamentally comprises the control of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) and rhythm. Pulse oxymetry is used to record HR and oxygen saturation. The objective of the study was to assess and compare hemodynamic changes by monitoring oxygen saturation level changes during periodontal surgical and nonsurgical therapy.

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 30 chronic periodontitis patients. Patients were divided into two groups; Group A consisted of 15 patients undergoing surgical periodontal therapy, Group B consisted of 15 patients undergoing nonsurgical periodontal therapy. The hemodynamic changes were evaluated by monitoring HR and oxygen saturation level using pulse oxymeter (SaO₂). HR and SaO₂ were monitored continuously and registered pre-operatively, i.e. 10 minutes before the procedure, intra-operatively and postoperatively, i.e. 10 minutes after the procedure. One-way analysis of variance test (ANOVA) was performed for data analysis.

Both the groups showed a slight fall in oxygen saturation levels intraoperatively, but within the normal range. More decrease in oxygen saturation levels was observed in nonsurgical periodontal therapy as compared to surgical periodontal therapy at intraoperative levels. The differences in the values were statistically significant. There was no statistical difference seen in the postoperative and preoperative values.

Most of the hemodynamic changes induced during the periodontal therapy were within normal limits, taking into consideration the anxiety and stress produced by the surgical intervention. The hemodynamic change was more in nonsurgical as compared to surgical periodontal therapy.

Padma R, Goel S, Shrinivas M, Shreedhara A, Malagi S, Radhika B, Pai BSJ. Comparative Evaluation of Oxygen Saturation Levels using Pulse Oxymeter during Nonsurgical and Surgical Periodontal Therapy in Chronic Periodontitis Patients. J Contemp Dent Pract 2012;13(5): 661-664.