Pattern of preanesthetic medication used in various surgical specialties in a tertiary care hospital in Madikeri: A retrospective cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Preanesthetic medications are administered before surgical procedure to ensure comfort to the patient and minimize adverse effects of anesthesia. These medications facilitate surgical procedure by counteracting stress and fear of surgery. Studying the pattern of preanesthetic medications gives an insight into the current trend of preanesthetic medications and helps in recognizing areas of improvement. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the pattern of preanesthetic medication used in various surgical specialties in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2019 to December 2019 at Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences, Madikeri. Data were collected retrospectively from inpatient records of those who have undergone surgeries in the Department of General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Obstetrics, and Gynaecology. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21. Results: A total of 407 inpatient records were analyzed. The most common preanesthetic agent used was alprazolam (59.45%). The most common gastroprotective agent used was pantoprazole (53.31%). Ondansetron (19.41%) was the antiemetic used. Conclusion: Our study helps in understanding the current trend of preanesthetic use in various surgical specialties. Alprazolam, pantoprazole, and ondansetron were the predominantly used preanesthetic drugs.