Necessidade de tratamento endodôntico e exodontia em pacientes pré e pós-transplante hepático: estudo longitudinal de pacientes de projeto de extensão

Abstract

Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for some serious conditions affecting the liver. During the preparation process for the surgery and in the period that follows, the patient has to undergo an immunosuppressive regimen, which may make them more susceptible to the development of secondary infections. As the oral cavity is an important vehicle of microorganisms, the elimination of infectious foci of oral origin is of extreme importance in these patients. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the need for endodontic and exodontic treatment in 180 patients with liver disease treated at the Hospital das Clínicas of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, as these conditions act as potential foci of infection. Material and Method: Patients attended at the Faculty of Dentistry of UFMG had the charts analyzed for data collection. Results: Frequencies of 18.7% and 43.3% of endodontic need were found in pre and post-transplant patients, respectively. Likewise, the need for dental extractions was 43.4% and 40%. Conclusions: The high frequencies of the need for more invasive procedures, together with immunosuppressants already in use, demonstrate a high susceptibility of these patients to the development of oral problems with infectious potential. Thus, it is extremely important to implement protocols that insert dentistry in the care of this group of patients as a way to minimize the occurrence of infections that may interfere or impede the success of transplant therapy.