Subjective responses to six common preoperative medications

Oral Low-Dose Midazolam as Premedication for Intraocular Surgery in Retrobulbar Anesthesia: Cardiovascular Effects and Relief of Perioperative Anxiety

The aim was to investigate the efficacy and practicability of oral low-dose premedication with 3.75 mg midazolam (1/2 tablet Dormicum 7.5 mg) for selective intraocular surgery with retrobulbar anesthesia. Forty-six ASA II-III patients were randomly assigned to either group I: midazolam (n = 24) or group II: placebo (n = 22). Sedation was objectively quantified with a scale derived from the Glasgow-Coma-Scale and a verbal self-rating scale. Trait-anxiety was studied with the State-Trait Inventory by Spielberger, perioperative situative anxiety with the Erlanger Anxiety Scale. Cardiovascular variables and oxygenation were automatically monitored. Midazolam produced significant and sufficient sedation and significant anxiolysis. Systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure were moderately but significantly, reduced. The effect on diastolic pressure was more pronounced. There was no effect on heart-rate. Oxygenation at all times remained well above 90% SpO2. In conclusion low-dose oral midazolam proved to be a single and effective premedication before intraocular surgery under local anesthesia.

The Measurement of Preoperative Anxiety

Preoperative anxiety was assessed using the hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scale, multiple affect adjective check list (MAACL) and linear analogue anxiety scale (LAAS) in 100 consecutive day case patients undergoing termination of pregnancy. The HAD scale, a recently introduced self assessment scale comprising 7 multiple choice questions, was readily accepted and easily understood by patients. There was a high degree of correlation between the HAD scale and both the MAACL (correlation coefficient 0.74) and the LAAS (correlation coefficient 0.67). There was only a moderate degree of correlation between the HAD scale and the anaesthetist's assessment of anxiety (correlation coefficient 0.46). The HAD scale is a useful method of subjective measurement of preoperative anxiety.

Effects of oral diazepam on intravenous access in same day surgery patients

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of 5 mg oral diazepam on vein quality, patient anxiety, and intravenous (i.v.) access.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study.

SETTING

Preoperative holding area of a large university hospital.

PATIENTS

202 adult ASA physical status I, II, and III patients scheduled for elective outpatient surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomized to receive either 5 mg oral diazepam or placebo, 30 minutes prior to i.v. access.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Vein quality and patient anxiety were assessed prior to, and 30 minutes following, premedication (just prior to venipuncture) using a 5 point ordinal scale and 10 cm visual analog scale, respectively. The number of attempts at venous access and the gauge of the catheter used were also recorded. Baseline patient anxiety was similar between the two groups and both showed a significant improvement in patient anxiety at 30 minutes following drug administration. The diazepam group, however, had a significantly greater reduction in anxiety scores (p < 0.05). There were no differences in baseline vein quality between the two groups; however, the quality of the vein was subjectively improved following diazepam administration. The mean number of attempts at i.v. access between the diazepam group (1.26 +/- 0.56) and the placebo group (1.32 +/- 0.65) was not significantly different. However, the ability to place larger gauge catheters was significantly enhanced in the diazepam group.

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of 5 mg oral diazepam prior to the establishment of i.v. access improved vein quality and decreased patient anxiety. This technique may be a useful method for i.v. catheter placement, particularly when large gauge catheters are required, or when difficult i.v. access is anticipated.

Comparison of lorazepam alone vs lorazepam, morphine, and perphenazine for cardiac premedication

PURPOSE

To compare the effects of two premedication regimens on cardiorespiratory variables, sedation, and anxiety in patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

METHODS

This was a prospective randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Sixty-eight patients were monitored for 1.5 hr before and 2.0 hr after premedication with lorazepam (0.03 mg.kg-1 sl), morphine (0.15 mg.kg-1 im), and perphenazine (0.05 mg.kg-1 im) [Group 1], or with lorazepam (0.03 mg.kg-1 sl) and saline (1.5 ml im) [Group 2]. All were continuously monitored with a 12-lead ECG ST monitors, respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP), digital pulse oximetry, intra-arterial blood pressure, and arterial blood gas analysis. Sedation and anxiety scores were also recorded.

RESULTS

The incidence and duration of myocardial ischaemia was low and similar in Groups 1 and 2. Patients in Group 1, but not in Group 2, had a greater number of events (P < 0.04) and duration (P < 0.02) of O2 desaturation; higher PaCO2 (P < 0.001), and more haemodynamic events (P < 0.006) after premedication when compared with baseline. There was no difference in RIP or ECG variables between the two groups. Following premedication, both groups reported reduced anxiety scores and elevated sedation scores (P < 0.01), with sedation greater in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In CABG patients, premedication with lorazepam provides adequate anxiolysis and sedation, and the addition of morphine and perphenazine results in elevated PaCO2, arterial haemoglobin desaturation, and potentially adverse haemodynamic changes.

Pharmacological premedication for anaesthesia

The psychological component of preoperative preparation should be completed with a selective use of drugs. The days of poly-pharmacy are over. Heavily sedated patients coming to the operation room with minimal oral secretions are not the purpose of modern premedication. Anxiolysis and slight sedation (painless patients) and analgesia (patients suffering from pain) are the main goals. Anticholinergics should be used only when needed, as is the case with premedication generally. The use of antiemetics and that of agents given for prophylaxis against allergic reactions or aspiration pneumonitis depend on specific needs of the patient. More accurate and generally accepted but simple methods are needed in studying the effects of different premedicants. The present results produced with a huge number of different more or less validated assessments can seldom be compared with each other.

Oral premedication one hour before minor gynaecological surgery--does it have any effect? A comparison between ketobemidone, lorazepam, propranolol and placebo

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of oral premedication with ketobemidone 5 mg, lorazepam 1 mg, propranolol 40 mg or placebo, given about an hour prior to anaesthesia, in a prospective randomized double-blind fashion. One hundred and twenty ASA I female patients scheduled for elective laparoscopy were randomly prescribed one of the study drugs. Patient evaluation of anxiety, nurse evaluation of premedication, induction and postoperative course were studied. Ninety-three of the 120 patients (78%) experienced no change or a decrease in anxiety, regardless of type of active drug or placebo administered. Eighty-eight of the patients (73%) were considered adequately premedicated by the nurse observer, with no differences between the groups. Pre induction pulse rate, blood pressure and amount of induction agent needed was also similar between the four groups of patients. No major differences could be seen during the postoperative course. We found no major effects of any of the active drugs studied compared to placebo. Routine use of small doses of oral premedication one hour before elective surgery among low anxiety patients could probably be omitted.

Preparing children for the operating room: psychological issues

Children respond psychologically to the prospect of surgery in a variable and age-dependent manner. This review summarizes the psychoanalytic, cognitive, behavioural and family system models of child development. It then reviews studies of hospitalization and anaesthesia in children. These studies suggest that younger children, children previously anaesthetized, and children who experience turbulent anaesthetic inductions are at particular risk for postoperative behavioural disturbances. Strategies of dealing with children and their parents during the perioperative period are discussed. Such strategies include: allowing a parent to be present during induction of anaesthesia, administering sedative premedication, creating a supportive environment, educating children and parents (verbal descriptions, tours, books, videos), and establishing rapport with children and their parents. Age-specific techniques of establishing rapport with children are discussed. If children are less anxious during the perioperative period, not only will they often exhibit less behavioural disturbances postoperatively, but they may face subsequent medical care more easily.

Clinical and metabolic responses to different kinds of premedication in ASA III patients

Clinical and metabolic responses to atropine plus pethidine and to scopolamine plus morphine premedication were studied in 45 ASA physical status III patients undergoing gynaecological procedures. Atropine 0.5 mg plus pethidine 50 mg intramuscularly (Group 1), scopolamine 0.24 mg plus morphine 8 mg (Group 2), or intramuscular placebo (Group 3) premedication were given in random, double-blind fashion. Scopolamine-morphine premedication caused a significant decrease in energy expenditure (EE) and oxygen consumption (VO2) (from 1229 +/- 193 to 1184 +/- 221 kcal/24 h, P = 0.004 and from 105 +/- 11 to 102 +/- 12 ml/min/m2, P = 0.006, respectively) simultaneously with a decrease in rate-pressure product (RPP) (P = 0.0001) and an increase in pressure-rate quotient (PRQ) (P = 0.034). Atropine-pethidine premedication induced a decrease in RPP but not in EE or VO2. In the placebo group both RPP and VO2 first increased and then slowly returned to the levels measured prior to premedication. The RPP was significantly lower in Group 2 than in Groups 1 and 3 at both 30 and 60 min. The degrees of subjective tiredness and anxiolysis were significantly greater in Groups 1 and 2 (showing good sedative and anxiolytic effect) than in Group 3. These results show that in ASA III patients, atropine-pethidine premedication does not decrease the sympathoadrenal reaction to the degree its anxiolytic and sedative effect would suggest. This may indicate neuroendocrine stress induced by atropine-pethidine.

Opioid supplementation to propofol anaesthesia for outpatient abortion: a comparison between alfentanil, fentanyl and placebo

One hundred and sixty-four patients scheduled for elective termination of pregnancy under general anaesthesia were randomly assigned to receive one of three different supplements to propofol and oxygen in nitrous oxide anaesthesia: 0.1 mg fentanyl, 0.5 mg alfentanil or placebo. Postoperative pain and nausea, as well as complications during anaesthesia were studied. There were no differences in complications or complaints by surgeons during anaesthesia, and no patient in any group reacted unsatisfactorily to surgery. The patients in the placebo group consumed significantly more propofol during the procedure (P less than 0.001). No differences were seen in time until hospital discharge between the three groups. Complaints about postoperative pain were significantly less frequent among patients receiving fentanyl (P less than 0.01). The number of patients requesting postoperative analgetics, however, did not differ. There was no difference in the frequency of nausea or vomiting, but postoperative pain was found significantly to increase complaints of nausea (P less than 0.01) and also time until hospital discharge (P less than 0.01). In conclusion, opioid supplementation lowered the amount of propofol needed for anaesthesia. Alfentanil 0.5 mg did not improve the postoperative course. Fentanyl 0.1 mg decreased the frequency of postoperative pain without increasing the time to hospital discharge.

A comparison of propranolol and diazepam for preoperative anxiolysis

The effectiveness of propranolol, a nonsedating anxiolytic premedication, was studied by monitoring preoperative anxiety and postoperative recovery of cognitive function in 92 healthy ASA physical status I females aged 15-42 yr undergoing outpatient dilatation and curettage (D&C) for therapeutic abortion. In a randomized double-blind design, patients received one of the following oral medications 1-1.5 hr preoperatively: (1) diazepam 10 mg (n = 31); (2) propranolol 80 mg (n = 31); (3) placebo (n = 30). Anxiety throughout the hospital stay was monitored using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Postoperative cognitive recovery was assessed using the digit span and Trieger tests. STAI anxiety levels were recorded on admission to hospital, immediately before entering the operating room, and two hours postoperatively. There was no difference among the anxiolytic properties of the three medications and all three patient groups showed a significant decrease in anxiety levels after administration of the medication. Tests of cognitive function after anaesthesia showed the fastest return to baseline status in patients receiving propranolol, possibly because beta adrenergic blockade blunted the autonomic signs of light anaesthesia and less anaesthetic was administered. None of the study premedications was demonstrated to have an anxiolytic advantage, but propranolol did offer a faster return of cognitive function in the postoperative period.

Premedication before elective breast surgery, a comparison between ketobemidone and midazolam

One hundred female patients scheduled for elective breast surgery (mean age 60 +/- 11 years were randomly assigned to receive one of two premedications: ketobemidone (Ketogan) 1-1.5 ml or midazolam 4-5 mg, intramuscularly. The effects on preoperative anxiety and postoperative emetic sequelae were studied. All patients were anaesthetised with thiopentone, fentanyl and atracurium, and ventilated with a mixture of nitrous oxide in oxygen with supplementary isoflurane. Sixty-nine percent of the midazolam- and 50% of the ketobemidone-premedicated patients experienced a reduction in anxiety. Midazolam was found to be more effective than ketobemidone in reducing anxiety among more tense patients--those with a VAS grading before premedication of 2 or more (P less than 0.05). Midazolam-premedicated patients were also assessed by observers as being more relaxed (P less than 0.05). No difference was seen in the frequency of emetic sequelae: 20 patients in the midazolam group and 14 patients in the ketobemidone group vomited once or more during the 24-h observation period. There was no difference between the two groups in time until an analgetic was required. In conclusion, midazolam seemed more effective in reducing preoperative anxiety than ketobemidone without any negative effects on postoperative emesis or time until an analgetic was required.

Midazolam-droperidol premedication for cardiac surgery. A comparison with papaveretum and hyoscine

A combination of midazolam and droperidol given intramuscularly was compared with papaveretum and hyoscine for premedication of patients about to undergo cardiac surgery. Midazolam and droperidol proved to be a very satisfactory combination, producing superior sedation and anxiolysis with good cardiovascular stability.

Preoperative anxiety: detection and contributing factors

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between anxiety the night before surgery and that existing immediately preoperatively, whether anaesthetists can detect preoperative anxiety and to establish the presence of any factors that might assist in the determination of preoperative anxiety. Anxiety was measured objectively using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List (MAACL). Anxiety was found to be higher in females and those not having had a previous anaesthetic, and to remain constant from the afternoon before surgery to the immediate preoperative period. Anaesthetists were found to be poor assessors of anxiety unless they specifically questioned their patients about this.

The nature of pre-operative anxiety

In a study of 247 patients who had general anaesthesia for dental procedures, the incidence of individual anxieties was noted using a questionnaire completed by the patient. The most common anxieties related to the period before transfer to the operating theatre, intra-operative awareness and postoperative pain. These anxieties were present in over half the patients questioned. The follow-up questionnaire was completed by 207 patients in order to indicate which anxieties they would expect to have if they needed anaesthesia in the future. All anxieties were less frequent than found before operation.

Effect of metoprolol and diazepam on pre-operative anxiety

A double-blind study of 98 patients who underwent elective hysterectomy or orthopaedic surgery was conducted to evaluate the effect of metoprolol or placebo combined with diazepam given 1-3 hours before surgery. Evaluation was by anaesthetists and by visual analogue scoring by the patients. The anaesthetists found that patients who received metoprolol were significantly less anxious (p less than 0.005) and better sedated (p less than 0.001) before induction of anaesthesia. The patients who received metoprolol found themselves more calm compared with placebo patients. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate were reduced by metoprolol compared to placebo. Metoprolol may be a valuable drug for premedication.

Lytic/"DPT" cocktail: time for rational and safe alternatives

These therapeutic approaches to the premedication of children, in our opinion, offer a more rational, probably safer, and at least equally efficacious treatment regimen as the DPT/lytic cocktail. It is understood that controlled, double-blind comparative clinical trials in children are needed of these or other potential premedicant regimens for specific pediatric procedures (e.g., cardiac catheterization, CT scans, bone marrow aspiration, gastrointestinal endoscopy, pleural taps, etc.) to establish the premedication treatment(s) with the greatest benefit-to-risk ratio. Until these data are available, we must maintain prudence in the selection (design) of premedicant regimens and carefully monitor all children receiving these "cocktails."

Comparison of anxiety before induction of anaesthesia in the anaesthetic room or operating theatre

Anxiety before induction of anaesthesia was studied in 100 patients who were allocated randomly to one of two groups. Patients in one group were anaesthetised in an anaesthetic room and those in the other group were anaesthetised inside the operating theatre. Both subjective and objective induces of anxiety were used in the comparison. Other factors that contributed to anxiety were assessed by a simple questionnaire. There was no significant difference in the level of anxiety between the two groups. The site of induction did not emerge as a major contributory factor to anxiety. The advantages and disadvantages of anaesthetic rooms are discussed.

Risk evaluation and patient assessment in sedation

Risk assessment gives a good clinical guide to the understanding of our patients' medical problems. The dentist can cope with problems related to patients belonging to risks group 1 and 2, but not to groups 3 or 4. The results of studies on risks, morbidity, and mortality in anaesthesia teach us that the human factor and technical error provoke complications, morbidity and mortality, seemingly unnecessarily. Case history and a simple physical examination, primarily concentrated on respiration and circulation, are of greatest importance. Main risks during conscious sedation are regurgitation and aspiration of fluid and smaller objects, such as a broken dentist's drill or a cardiac complication. Most feared is the risk of a reinfarcation. The aim of sedation is to reduce anxiety and restlessness. Of greatest importance is thorough patient information and a good doctor-patient contact.

Premedication with intramuscular dixyrazine: (Esucos). A controlled double-blind comparison with morphine-scopolamine and placebo

Ninety patients scheduled for general or orthopaedic surgical procedures were randomly assigned to receive one of three i.m. premedications: dixyrazine 0.5 mg kg-1; morphine 0.15 mg kg-1 and scopolamine 0.0065 mg kg-1; or placebo. The premedication was administered and evaluated in a double-blind fashion. The patients were anaesthetized with thiopentone, fentanyl, pancuronium, and ventilated with nitrous oxide in oxygen. The three premedications had no noticeable anxiolytic effect. Although there was no difference in the frequency of observed postoperative nausea and vomiting between the three groups, premedication with dixyrazine nonetheless reduced the patients' experience of postoperative nausea as well as their need for postoperative antiemetics. Although patients in the two treatment groups were significantly more sedated immediately before induction of anaesthesia than patients receiving placebo, the degree of postoperative sedation was similar in all three groups. Morphine-scopolamine caused more postoperative dizziness than dixyrazine and placebo. Lack of recall was produced by both morphine-scopolamine and dixyrazine. It is concluded that premedication with dixyrazine is a useful alternative, especially in patients who have previously experienced postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Sedation, analgesia, and anesthesia for radiologic procedures

Cardiovascular and interventional radiologic procedures often cause discomfort and anxiety. To promote patient acceptance of these procedures while facilitating radiologic evaluations, sedation, analgesia, or even anesthesia may be necessary. This review presents considerations in the management of sedation and analgesia before, during, and after the procedure. Potential adverse drug effects are discussed and emphasis is placed on patient monitoring during administration of medications. Our review points to a need for investigations of monitoring requirements and risk-benefit analysis of intravenous medication in radiologic practice. We encourage the establishment of working relationships between radiologists and anesthesiologists.

Premedication with midazolam in out-patient general anaesthesia. A comparison with morphine-scopolamine and placebo

Strong premedication may prolong recovery and cause side-effects after short surgical procedures in general anaesthesia. To be operated without premedication may be unpleasant for the patient. Midazolam is a water-soluble benzodiazepine with rapid onset and short half-life. In a randomized study with 193 female patients, we compared the effects and side-effects of three different premedicants i.m.: midazolam, morphine-scopolamine (Mo-Scop) and placebo. Midazolam and Mo-Scop had an equal and significantly better effect than placebo on preoperative anxiety and alertness. Side-effects like nausea, dry mouth and prolonged recovery occurred significantly more often in the Mo-Scop than the midazolam or placebo groups. The midazolam-premedicated patients had significantly more amnesia compared with the other two groups. Only 3% of the patients would prefer no medication before anaesthesia, whereas 80% would prefer a combination of an anxiolytic and hypnotic premedication. Sixty-three percent of the patients would prefer a premedicant administered by injection. The results indicate that midazolam i.m. is an effective premedicant, with few side-effects, for short procedures in general anaesthesia.

The use of oral benzodiazepines as premedications: the usefulness of temazepam

The primary aim of premedication is to relieve the patient's anxiety/restlessness before anaesthesia and to ensure optimum quantity and quality of sleep on the night preceding surgery. With these objectives in mind, oral benzodiazepines offer a good alternative to traditional parenteral premedicants, especially as the clear anxiolytic and sedative effects of the former are of great clinical value. Oral temazepam has proven to be a valuable premedicant given on the evening before operation and/or the following morning, before surgery. Administered as a sedative in a single 20 mg oral dose the night before surgery, temazepam provided a good night's sleep in 77 percent of gynaecological surgical patients; patients slept for 7.6 hours and had no significant residual effects. As a premedicant, temazepam was as effective as parenteral diazepam or papaveretum. Temazepam's short duration of action facilitates rapid postoperative recovery in children, adults, and in the elderly. Thus, it is indicated especially for short operative procedures when rapid recovery and swift return to fitness are essential.

Premedication for day-case surgery: double-blind comparison of ketobemidone + dimethylaminodiphenylbuten (A-29) and morphine + scopolamine

A double-blind comparison of the effect of Ketogan (ketobemidone and A-29, an anticholinergic and spasmolytic agent) and morphine + scopolamine as premedication was performed in 113 women admitted for abortion and in 114 women admitted for gynaecological dilatation and curettage. Anaesthesia was thiopentone and nitrous oxide and oxygen, occasionally supplemented with enflurane. It was found that 1 ml morphine + scopolamine (10 mg + 0.4 mg) was more sedative than 1 ml ketogan (ketobemidone 5 mg + A-29 25 mg). After ketogan there was less nausea and dryness of the mouth before induction of anaesthesia than after morphine + scopolamine. Ketogan had the same tranquillizing effect but less hypnotic effect preoperatively than morphine + scopolamine. During the 3-h postoperative observation period the patients premedicated with ketogan woke up significantly sooner and had more pain than those given morphine + scopolamine. More patients required postoperative antiemetics in the ketogan-premedicated group than in the morphine + scopolamine-premedicated group.

Premedication administered to anesthesiologists as patients: their evaluations of its effect and its influence on premedication prescribing habits

Inquiries were sent to practising Austrian anesthesiologists to ascertain their premedication-prescribing habits and their assessment of premedicants that they received as patients. The 143 replies received showed meperidine/promethazine (M/P) as most used n = 83 and received (n = 54) drug (combination), followed by fentanyl/droperidol (F/D) n = 33 (n = 21), benzodiazepines (BZ) n = 17 (n = 10) and several other drugs (combinations) n = 10 (n = 14). There was no significant difference in the premedication habits of the 82 anesthesiologists who had received premedication and those (61) who had no personal experience with premedicants. The former judged M/P to be significantly superior to F/D and other schemes; however there was no significant difference from the judgement of the BZ. Unpleasant side effects have been described in 9% of M/P, 10% of BZ, 24% of F/D and 21% of other premedicants. On future occasions 10% of BZ-, 13% of the M/P-, 24% F/D- and 21%-receivers of other combinations would reject the same drug. Seven F/D and five M/P users converted their prescription schemes after they had received the same drug for their own premedication. The prescription habits were not influenced by dependency on departmental or hospital orders. Of those who had received it 75% desired premedication and 25% accepted premedication, suggesting that anesthesiologists believe in the positive effects of premedication. However, the overall incidence of 10% unpleasant side effects, even in the better ranked drugs, shows that the available premedicants do not yet seem to be satisfactory.

[Oral premedication with diazepam]

A double blind study has been carried out on patients scheduled for appendicectomy. They were divided into two groups who were given diazepam as premedication either orally or intramuscularly. The clinical effects were measured with regard to anxiolysis, gastric contents volume and acidity. Orally premedicated patients were not significantly less anxious. No significant differences between both groups concerning gastric contents (volume and pH) were found. Therefore, oral premedication did not increase the risk of inhalation. Taking into account the previous findings in the literature, the pharmacological advantages of the oral route and the lack of complications, a wider use of oral premedication for elective operations in adults is recommended.

A comparative study of diazepam with sustained-release diazepam as oral premedication in minor gynaecological surgery

Sixty patients undergoing elective minor gynaecological surgery received oral pre-operative medication with 10 mg diazepam in either conventional tablet form on the morning of operation or as the sustained-release tablet the night before. Subjective and objective assessments of the effectiveness of premedication were made. Patients receiving sustained-release diazepam on the night before surgery experienced fewer periods of wakefulness than those who received placebo. Patients who were given diazepam on the morning of surgery felt more drowsy pre-operatively than those who received sustained-release diazepam the night before.

A comparison of nalbuphine and morphine as premedication agents for minor gynaecological surgery

Nalbuphine 10 mg and morphine 10 mg were compared in a randomised double-blind trial as intramuscular premedication in 50 patients undergoing minor gynaecological surgery. Both nalbuphine and morphine produced significant sedation without anxiolysis as assessed by patient linear analogue scales, but there were no significant differences between the two drugs. Observer ratings demonstrated that nalbuphine produced calm/sleepy patients to a greater extent than morphine. There were no differences in untoward effects produced by each drug.

Comparison of rectal diazepam and subcutaneous morphine-scopolamine administration for outpatient sedation in minor oral surgery

In a randomized cross-over study on sedation in outpatient oral surgery, subcutaneous administration of morphine-scopolamine was compared with rectal administration of diazepam. The mean dose of morphine was 0.13 mg kg-1 (range 0.13-0.24) and of diazepam 0.57 mg kg-1 (range 0.50-0.71). Apprehension, the determining factor for patients' preference for sedation method, the recovery from sedation and the postoperative course were studied. Both methods produced the desired effects. For diazepam, the effect was scored higher by the patient than the nurse observer and for morphine-scopolamine the opposite was found. Postoperative pain and patients' preference for sedation did not differ between the methods and the determining factor for the patients' preference for sedation method was the experience of stronger tranquilization. Side-effects such as prolonged recovery, nausea, dizziness, and dysphoria were frequent during the postoperative course after the morphine-scopolamine sedation but were not seen during diazepam sedation. Thus, rectal administration of diazepam should be preferred to morphine and scopolamine for sedation in minor oral surgery performed under local anesthesia.

Midazolam versus fentanyl/droperidol and placebo as intramuscular premedicant

Midazolam, a new short-acting benzodiazepine with promising premedicant effects, was investigated in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial in 203 patients versus fentanyl/droperidol and placebo. Subjective effects, side-effects, amnesia and overall satisfaction were recorded. Midazolam caused the greatest decrease in anxiety level, and while causing more confusion and somnolence than placebo, caused less confusion and somnolence than fentanyl/droperidol. Half the patients who received midazolam reported anterograde amnesia. No serious side-effects were reported. Patient satisfaction was greater in the midazolam group than in the other groups.

Clinical assessment of new I.V. sedation agents and techniques

The purpose of this paper has been to describe the information that must be gathered before a new drug can be used effectively and safely for I.V. sedation. A new drug, midazolam, has been used as an illustrative example.

Use of orally administered diazepam in the reduction of dental anxiety

A double-blind randomized clinical trial of the effectiveness of orally administered diazepam in reducing dental anxiety was conducted. Forty-one subjects were assigned to a diazepam or placebo group and tested, using the Dental Fear Survey and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Diazepam was effective in reducing anxiety scores but not dental fear scores.

Zomepirac as an analgesic premedication: a comparison of three dosage regimens

Three regimens of oral zomepirac premedication - 100 mg and 200 mg administered one hour preoperatively, and 100 mg administered 30 minutes preoperatively - were compared in terms of the control of postoperative pain. Primary outcomes were postoperative analgesic requirements, pain intensities and side effects. Sixty patients undergoing laparoscopic sterilization by Fallop ring were studied, using a double blind randomized design. All patients received a standardized general anaesthetic in which narcotic supplementation was avoided. Zomepirac 100 mg, when administered 30 minutes preoperatively, was the preferred regimen in terms of postoperative remedication rates, pain intensity, and side effects. However, the overall rate of remedication was high and was probably a result of the severe pain experienced by these patients in the early postoperative period. Plasma levels of zomepirac at termination of anaesthesia were consistent with the differences in remedication profiles and showed significant correlations with initial postoperative pain intensity, as assessed by an ordinal descriptive scale (r = 0.431, p = 0.025) and time to remedication (r = 0.541, p = 0.004), thus adding validity to the model.

Effect of age and cardiopulmonary bypass on the pharmacokinetics of lorazepam

The pharmacokinetics of lorazepam after 0.03 mg/kg intravenous administration was investigated in 14 surgical patients (nasal surgery under local anaesthesia) ranging in age from 25 to 86 years (8 males and 6 females). No statistically significant changes in the kinetics of lorazepam associated with the aging process were found. In these premedicated patients a slow onset of the drug action of lorazepam was assessed both subjectively and objectively with no apparent relationship to the age. These findings are of potential clinical importance, because it is highly desirable to use drugs for which age-related alterations are of minimum degree. In 5 male patients undergoing surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, lorazepam disappeared from the plasma after a single 4 mg intravenous injection with an apparent comparable half-life (10.0 +/- 3.2 min.) to that of the above mentioned surgical patients. The concentrations of both unconjugated and conjugated lorazepam dropped abruptly at the start of extracorporeal circulation followed by an increase in the postperfusion period. After this peak effect the mean apparent half-life of lorazepam was 15.5 +/- 5.8 hours of indicating no great change in its elimination in comparison with patients operated under local anaesthesia (half-life 12.1 +/- 3.7 hours). Pharmacokinetically, lorazepam appears to be a useful agent in connection with cardiopulmonary bypass operation.

Use of gastric fistula rats for the study of sedative, hypnotic and antianxiety drugs

A rat gastric fistula preparation has been developed for the ready and safe administration of water-insoluble drugs. Graded doses of five sedative hypnotics - pentobarbital, secobarbital, methaqualone, diazepam and chloral hydrate - were studied using this preparation and a behavioral scale. The effect of these drugs on respiratory rate was also studied. The rat gastric fistula preparation is a stable one which allows the execution of crossover studies lasting for several months. Valid assays were obtained in comparisons of pentobarbital, secobarbital and methaqualone using both total behavior scale scores (BSS) and depression of respiratory rate. Secobarbital was equipotent to and methaqualone one-fourth as potent as pentobarbital. The slope of the chloral hydrate BSS dose-response line was statistically significantly steeper than that of pentobarbital. The diazepam BSS dose-response line was not only significantly less steep than that of pentobarbital but a plateau was seen. Neither chloral hydrate nor diazepam produced a dose-related depression of respiratory rate. The rat gastric fistula preparation has thus proved useful in characterizing the pharmacologic profiles, dose-response relationship and relative potencies of sedative hypnotics.

Pre-anaesthetic medication in paediatric day-care surgery

Pre-anaesthetic medication has the primary aim of making the whole process of anaesthesia smooth and agreeable. This prospective blind study was planned to compare the efficacy of three active drugs and a placebo as premedication in a paediatric population undergoing operation on a day care basis. One hundred and fifty-nine patients between one and 12 years of age were assigned randomly to one of four groups who received either hydroxyzine 0.5 mg . kg-1 (n - 43) promethazine 0.5 mg . kg-1 (n 40) diazepam 0.1 mg . kg (n - 378) or placebo (n - 36) by mouth, 60 minutes before operation. Observations in the operating room included the emotional state of the patient on arrival, quality of induction and complications. In the recovery room time for emergence from anaesthesia, complications and requirements for analgesia were recorded. The parents were asked for return a questionnaire detailing psychological and physical complications during three postoperative days. There was no difference between the groups in any of the factors examined. From this study we conclude that children undergoing surgical operations and anaesthesia on a day care basis should not receive pharmacological premedication, not because of overwhelming risk from its use, but because of the absence of any benefit.

Emotional reactions during lumbar extradural anaesthesia

The degree of anxiety of 26 male and female patients undergoing hernia repair while receiving lumbar extradural anaesthesia was measured using the galvanic skin response. The single, most anxiety-provoking feature during the surgical procedures proved to be verbal interactions directly concerned with the patient's well-being. The psychological implications of this feature are discussed.

Flunitrazepam versus placebo premedication for minor surgery

The clinical effects of oral flunitrazepam (2 mg on the night before operation followed by 2 mg on the morning of operation) and placebo as premedicants were tested in a double-blind study in 81 gynaecological patients. The separate or total concentrations of flunitrazepam and its demethylated metabolite in plasma (measured by gas chromatography) were correlated with the clinical effects of flunitrapam premedication, assessed both sugjectively and objectively. In most parameters tested (sleep on the night before operation, sedation, apprehension, headache, pulse rate), there was a positive, significant difference between the flunitrazepam group (n = 44) and the placebo group (n = 37). No significant difference was found between the two groups in emetic effect, excitement, systolic blood pressure increase, and vene-puncture, but the patients receiving flunitrazepam felt significantly more dizziness. The temperature of the left forefinger before, during and after the anaesthesia did not vary significantly between the two groups. There was no correlation between the plasma concentration of flunitrazepam and its demethylated metabolite (separate or total concentrations) and any of the parameters tested before induction of anaesthesia. Flunitrazepam is a new oral premedicant with prominent sedative and anxiolytic actions. When the drug is given as a sedative on the night before operation, followed by a second dose on the morning of operation, the beneficial effects last for at least 8 hours after the second dose.

Clinical and biochemical evaluations of premedicants. A double-blind assessment of clobazam, a new 1,5 benzodiazepine

Clobazam is a new 1,5 benzodiazepine which differs from the 1,4 benzodiazepines such as diazepam, in that it displays a wide separation of its tranquillising or anxiolytic effects from impairment of cortical arousal and psychomotor performance. Its potential advantages as a premedicant for day-case or outpatient surgery were evaluated in a placebo-controlled double-blind study in female patients undergoing minor day surgery. Anxiety reduction was evaluated clinically and by means of plasma cortisol estimations. The clinical evaluation, using an established portocol, did not differentiate either active drug from placebo or between the active drugs; the cortisol results permitted opposing conclusions depending on the statistical approach used. Potential fallacies inherent in the methodology current used for evaluating premedicant drugs are discussed.

Butorphanol and promethazine as pre-anaesthetic medication

An open evaluation of a combination of butorphanol (1 or 2 mg), promethazine (25 or 50 mg) and atropine (0.5 mg) in 109 adult consenting patients was carried out to determine their safety and efficacy for preanaesthetic medication. All patients were kept under direct surveillance from before intramuscular medication until they were in satisfactory condition post-operatively for discharge from the recovery room. The medications employed did not disturb the blood pressure, pulse rate or respiration rate in any of the patients. None complained of nausea or dizziness while only one was slightly excited. Sedation was rated as satisfactory in 97 per cent, and 90 per cent were free of apprehension. In addition, global evaluation of the premedication by the investigator was rated good to excellent in 99 per cent of the patients. On the basis of these observations, the combination of butorphanol with promethazine and atropine appears safe and useful for pre-anaesthetic medication.