Preanesthetic Medication In Children Research Articles

Intranasal Dexmedetomidine (Precedex) versus Intranasal Midazolam (Dormicum) as a Premedication in Pediatrics Undergoing Upper GI Endoscopy

Abstract Background Upper GI endoscopy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in pediatric patients. Relieving pre- and post- operative anxiety is an important concern for the pediatric anesthesiologist. Anxiety can produce aggressive reactions, increase distress, and may make the control of postoperative pain difficult. Pre-anesthetic medication in children should aim at relieving this anxiety and psychological trauma and also to facilitate the induction of anesthesia without prolonging the recovery. Aim of the Work The aim of this work is to compare the effectiveness of intranasal dexmedetomidine and midazolam as a premedication in sedation of preschool children in GI endoscopy. Patients and Methods A prospective, randomized and double blind clinical trial was done after approval of institutional ethics committee in Ain Shams University Hospitals for 6 months and obtaining an informed written consent from parents. It was designed to include 70 pediatric patients, aged 2 to 6 years old of both genders, with physical status ASA I – II. Results In the present study, the children were satisfactorily separated from parents in dexmedetomidine group when compared to the midazolam group; p value <0.001 as also documented by Ayushi that Parental separation was successful in 73.3% of patients in Group SD compared with 46.7% of patients in Group SM (P = 0.035). Furthermore, children in dexmedetomidine group achieved significant lower agitation and delirium postoperative after drug in comparison to midazolam group; regarding delirium: p value <0.001, and regarding agitation: p value <0.001. Conclusion Premedication with intranasal dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg attained significant and satisfactory sedation with better parent separation and lower agitation and delirium in the postoperative period as compared to intranasal midazolam 0.2 mg/kg in children undergoing upper GI endoscopy although dexmedetomidine had a delayed onset of action when compared to that of midazolam.

Intranasal Dexmedetomidine versus Intranasal Ketamine as Pre-Anaesthetic Medication in Paediatric Age Group Undergoing Surgery

Abstract Background The immediate pre-operative period is a very stressful time for most of the individuals undergoing surgery especially the paediatric patients. So, relieving their pre- operative anxiety becomes an important concern for an anaesthesiologist. Many anaesthetic pre-medications are used to relieve this stress response. Of these pre-medications, ketamine and dexmedetomidine are effectively used as sedatives. The present study is planned to compare sedative effect of intranasal dexmedetomidine vs intranasal ketamine as a pre- anaesthetic medication in children. Aim of the Work To compare the sedative effects, successful child–parental separation and haemodynamic parameters of intranasal dexmedetomidine versus ketamine as a premedication in children undergoing surgery. Patients and Methods After Ethical Committee approval and written informed parents’ consent, this Prospective randomized controlled clinical trial was performed in Ain Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt. Ninety children were scheduled to undergo elective surgeries. Results ninety children, aged between 2-8 years of either sex, belonging to ASA I-II, scheduled for elective surgery were enrolled in this prospective, randomized and comparative clinical study. The children were divided into two groups of 45 each. thirty minutes before induction, Group-D (n = 45) received intranasal Dexmedetomidine 1mcg/kg and Group K (n = 45) received intranasal ketamine 2mg/kg. Our study showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups as regarding the HR and the blood pressure at 10 and 20 min after intranasal drug instillation. There was a statistically significant decrease in the dexmedetomidine group regarding the heart rate and the BP at 30 min, preoperative and during the intraoperative period. There was no significant difference in oxygen saturation between both groups. The MOAA/S scores were comparable in both groups, It was significantly lower in the ketamine group at 10 and 20 min after the administration of the drug. However, at 30min there was a statistically significant decrease in sedation score in the D group compared with group K. Conclusion Revealed that both drugs produce effective and favorable sedation level with superiority to dexmedetomidine in sedation scores and slight delay in onset of sedation, and there was little decrease in heart rate and MAP which is favorable during surgeries. Also, there was accepted parental separation scores denoting that there was smooth and easy separation from guardians. Thus, it can be concluded that intranasal dexmedetomidine can be used effectively and safely as a preanesthetic medication in children undergoing any surgical procedures under general anesthesia.

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF MIDAZOLAM AND KETAMINE WITH MIDAZOLAM ALONE AS ORAL PREMEDICATION IN CHILDREN”

Introduction: The main aims of preanesthetic medication in children are to reduce anxiety associated with the unfamiliar environment, facilitate the separation of the child from their parent and allow smooth induction of an-esthesia. Both oral midazolam and oral ketamine fulfil many of these char-acteristics and are useful. Method: As 48 patients of ASA grade 1 and 2, aged between 2-10 years un-dergoing elective surgery were allocated to one of two study groups using random numbers: Group 1 received midazolam 0.5mg/kg and group 2 re-ceived midazolam 0.25 mg/kg with ketamine 3 mg/kg. The medications were prepared and mixed with 25% dextrose up to a maximum volume of 0.3 ml/kg. Result: Uniform and acceptable sedation scores were seen in both the groups, without any serious side effects. However, the combination offered significantly more children in an awake, calm and quiet state, who were eas-ily separated from their parents. The induction scores, Recovery room characteristics and time to achieve satisfactory Aldrete score were also comparable between the two groups. Conclusion: Oral midazolam alone and a combination of midazolam with ketamine provide equally effective anxiolysis and separation characteristics. However, the combination provided more Benefits.

Intranasal Dexmedetomidine versus Oral Paracetamol as a pre-anesthetic medication in children undergoing adeno-tonsillectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Intranasal Dexmedetomidine versus Oral Paracetamol as a pre-anesthetic medication in children undergoing adeno-tonsillectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Comparison of intranasal dexmedetomidine and midazolam as premedication on haemodynamic stability

Background: Premedication in pediatric population helps to produce a relaxed state with reduced anxiety and increased. These pre-medications, midazolam and dexmedetomidine are effectively used as sedatives. The present study was planned to compare intranasal dexmedetomidine with intranasal midazolam as a pre-anesthetic medication in children. Fear of unpleasant and painful procedures, separation from parents and unwillingness to breathe through an anaesthesia face mask may produce stormy anaesthetic induction in unpremeditated patients. Because of this premedication should be an integral part of paediatric anaesthetic practice. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the Intranasal administration of Midazolam and Dexmedetomidine as Premedication on Haemodynamic Stability among Paediatric Patients. Material & Methods: This Comparative study was carried out at Department of Anaesthesiology, P K DAS Institute of Medical Sciences, Vaniamkulam, Ottapalam Kerala, India . A total of 70 Paediatric Patients of both sex age group between 1- 5 year from the routine surgical list of our Hospital were included in the study. The children were divided into two groups i.e. 35 in each based on the premedication received and by random allotted numbers.

Intranasal Dexmedetomidine Vs Intranasal Midazolam as Premedication in Children Undergoing Tonsillectomy

Background: The pre-operative period is a very stressful event for most of the individuals undergoing surgery especially the pediatric patients. So, relieving their pre-operative anxiety becomes an important concern for an anesthesiologist. Many anesthetic pre-medications are used to relieve this stress response. Of these pre-medications, midazolam and dexmedetomidine are effectively used as sedatives. The present study was planned to compare intranasal dexmedetomidine with intranasal midazolam as a pre-anesthetic medication in children. A total of 100 children aged 6–12 years, of either sex, weighing 18–32 kg, with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status 1 and undergoing elective adenotonsillectomy surgery were enrolled in this comparative prospective, double blinded, randomized clinical study. The children were divided into 2 groups: group D and group M, of 24 each. Sixty minutes before induction of anesthesia, group D (n = 50) received intranasal dexmedetomidine at a dose of 1 μg/kg and group M (n = 50) received intranasal midazolam of 0.2 mg/kg. Results: Children who were pre-medicated with dexmedetomidine had lower sedation scores, lower anxiety levels, easier child-parent separation, better mask acceptance than those who received midazolam. The incidence of emergence agitation was decreased in both groups with no significant difference. Conclusion: Intranasal dexmedetomidine seems to have more advantages compared with midazolam. Thus, it can be used safely as a pre-anesthetic medication in children undergoing any surgical procedures under general anesthesia.

A comparison of intranasal dexmeditomidine versus intranasal midazolam as a pre anesthetic medication in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy

Abstract Background Adenotonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed on pediatric patients. Relieving pre- and post-operative anxiety is an important concern for the pediatric anesthesiologist. Aim of the Work: to compare dexmedetomidine with midazolam effect on preoperative sedation, the ease of children parent separation, the mask tolerance, intraoperative hemodynamics stability, emergence of anesthesia and postoperative analgesia. Patients and Methods A Prospective, randomized and double blind controlled clinical trial was done after approval of institutional ethics committee in Ain Shams university Hospitals for 6 months and obtaining an informed written consent from parents. It was designed to include fifty pediatric patients, aged 5 to 10 years old of both genders, with physical status ASA Ι. Results statistically significant increase mean of Dexmedetomidine compared to midazolam according to sedation score after 15min. to after 45min. Conclusion Premedication with intranasal dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg attained significant and satisfactory sedation with better parent separation and lower anxiety levels without any adverse effects as compared with intranasal midazolam 0.2 mg/kg in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

Intranasal dexmedetomidine versus intranasal midazolam as pre-anesthetic medication in pediatric age group undergoing adenotonsillectomy

BackgroundThe pre-operative period is a very stressful event for most of the individuals undergoing surgery especially the pediatric patients. So, relieving their pre-operative anxiety becomes an important concern for an anesthesiologist. Many anesthetic pre-medications are used to relieve this stress response. Of these pre-medications, midazolam and dexmedetomidine are effectively used as sedatives. The present study was planned to compare intranasal dexmedetomidine with intranasal midazolam as a pre-anesthetic medication in children. Forty-eight children aged 3–7 years, of either sex, weighing 13–22 kg, with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status 1 and undergoing elective adenotonsillectomy surgery were enrolled in this comparative prospective, double blinded, randomized clinical study. The children were divided into 2 groups: group D and group M, of 24 each. Forty-five minutes before induction of anesthesia, group D (n = 24) received intranasal dexmedetomidine at a dose of 1 μg/kg and group M (n = 24) received intranasal midazolam of 0.2 mg/kg.ResultsChildren who were pre-medicated with dexmedetomidine had lower sedation scores, lower anxiety levels, easier child-parent separation, better mask acceptance, and lower pain scores than those who received midazolam. The incidence of emergence agitation was decreased in both groups with no significant difference.ConclusionIntranasal dexmedetomidine seems to offer some advantages compared with midazolam. Thus, it can be used effectively and safely as a pre-anesthetic medication in children undergoing any surgical procedures under general anesthesia.

Dexmedetomidine vs midazolam as preanesthetic medication in children: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The preoperative period is a stressing occurrence for most people undergoing surgery, in particular children. Approximately 50-75% of children undergoing surgery develop anxiety which is associated with distress on emergence from anesthesia and with later postoperative behavioral problems. Premedication, commonly performed with benzodiazepines, reduces preoperative anxiety, facilitates separation from parents, and promotes acceptance of mask induction. Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective α2 -agonist with sedative and analgesic properties. A meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on dexmedetomidine versus midazolam was performed to evaluate its efficacy in improving perioperative sedation and analgesia, and in reducing postoperative agitation when used as a preanesthetic medication in children. Studies were independently searched in PubMed, BioMedCentral, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of clinical trials and updated on August 15th, 2014. Primary outcomes were represented by improved sedation at separation from parents, at induction of anesthesia, and reduction in postoperative agitation. Secondary outcomes were reduction in rescue analgesic drugs, and duration of surgery and anesthesia. Inclusion criteria were random allocation to treatment and comparison between dexmedetomidine and midazolam. Exclusion criteria were adult studies, duplicate publications, intravenous administration, and no data on main outcomes. Data from 1033 children in 13 randomized trials were analyzed. Overall, in the dexmedetomidine group there was a higher incidence of satisfactory sedation at separation from parents (314 of 424 [74%] in the dexmedetomidine group vs 196 of 391 [50%] in the midazolam group, RR = 1.30 [1.05-1.62], P = 0.02), a reduced incidence of postoperative agitation (14 of 140 [10%] vs 56 of 141 [40%], RR = 0.31 [0.13-0.73], P = 0.008), and a significant reduction in the rescue doses of analgesic drugs (49 of 241 [20%] vs 95 of 243 [39%], RR = 0.52 [0.39-0.70], P < 0.001). There was no evidence of a higher incidence of satisfactory sedation at anesthesia induction or any reduction of duration of surgery and anesthesia. Dexmedetomidine is effective in decreasing anxiety upon separation from parents, decreasing postoperative agitation, and providing more effective postoperative analgesia when compared with midazolam.

Oral Midazolam as Pre-Anesthetic Medication in Children and Teenagers with Cerebral Palsy. A Comparative Study on the Variations of the Bispectral Index

Midazolam is a benzodiazepine with hypnotic action widely used as pre-anesthetic medication in pediatric anesthesia. Children with cerebral palsy (CP) also benefit from the use of midazolam, but its effects on this group of patients, who present several particularities, including changes at the site of action of midazolam, are still unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of midazolam, when used as pre-anesthetic medication, on the bispectral index (EEG-BIS) of patients with cerebral palsy. Two groups of patients were evaluated: one group with the diagnosis of CP and the other without central and peripheral nervous system disorders. The EEG-BIS was recorded in the room, the day before the surgery, and at the day of the surgery, 40 minutes after the administration of 0.6 mg.kg-1 of oral midazolam. Patients with a history of paradoxal reaction to midazolam as well as patients in the control group who were using other medications were excluded. Seventy-seven patients of both genders, 4 to 18 years old, participated in this study. Differences in EEG-BIS between both groups were not detected. After the use of midazolam EEG-BIS decreased in both groups with a statistically significant difference in each group. Statistically significant intergroup differences were not observed. Midazolam, used as pre-anesthetic medication, at a dose of 0.6 mg.kg−1, reduced basal EEG-BIS without characterizing hypnosis and without statistically significant differences between the study groups. O midazolam é um derivado benzodiazepínico com ação hipnótica e muito utilizado como medicação pré-anestésica em anestesia pediátrica. As crianças com paralisia cerebral (PC) também se beneficiam do uso do midazolam, mas seus efeitos são ainda desconhecidos sobre esse grupo de pacientes que apresentam uma série de particularidades, com alterações inclusive no local de ação do midazolam. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a ação do midazolam utilizado como medicação pré-anestésica sobre o índice bispectral (EEG-BIS) dos pacientes com paralisia cerebral. Foram avaliados dois grupos de pacientes: um com diagnóstico de PC e outro sem doença do sistema nervoso central (SNC) e periférico. Foram registrados valores de EEG-BIS na enfermaria na véspera da operação e no dia da operação, 40 minutos depois da administração de 0,6 mg.kg-1 de midazolam via oral. Foram excluídos pacientes com história de reação paradoxal ao midazolam e pacientes do grupo-controle que estivessem em uso de outra medicação. Foram estudados 77 pacientes de ambos os sexos, entre 4 e 18 anos de idade. Não houve diferença entre os valores de EEG-BIS basal entre os grupos estudados. Após o uso do midazolam houve diminuição dos valores do EEG-BIS nos dois grupos estudados, com diferença estatística significativa em cada grupo. Na comparação entre grupos não houve diferença estatística. O midazolam administrado como medicação préanestésica na dose de 0,6 mg.kg−1 diminui os valores basais do EEG-BIS sem caracterizar hipnose e sem diferença estatística nos grupos estudados. El midazolam es un derivado benzodiazepínico con acción hipnótica y muy utilizado como medicación preanestésica en anestesia pediátrica. Los niños con parálisis cerebral (PC) también se benefician del uso del midazolam, pero sus efectos todavía se desconocen sobre ese grupo de pacientes que presentan una serie de particularidades, con alteraciones inclusive en la región de la acción del midazolam. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la acción del midazolam utilizado como medicación preanestésica sobre el índice bispectral (EEG-BIS) de los pacientes con parálisis cerebral. Se evaluaron dos grupos de pacientes: uno con diagnóstico de PC y el otro sin enfermedad del sistema nervioso central (SNC) y periférico. Se registraron valores de EEG-BIS en la enfermería en la víspera de la operación y el día de la operación, 40 minutos después de la administración de 0,6 mg.kg-1 de midazolam por vía oral. Quedaron excluidos pacientes con historial de reacción paradoxal al midazolam y pacientes del grupo control que estuviesen usando otra medicación. Se estudiaron 77 pacientes de ambos sexos, entre 4 y 18 años de edad. No hubo diferencia entre los valores de EEG-BIS basal entre los grupos estudiados. Después del uso del midazolam hubo una reducción de los valores del EEG-BIS en los dos grupos estudiados, con diferencia estadística significativa en cada grupo. En la comparación entre los grupos no hubo diferencia estadística. El midazolam administrado como medicación preanestésica en la dosis de 0,6 mg.kg−1 redujo los valores basales del EEG-BIS sin caracterizar la hipnosis y sin diferencia estadística en los grupos estudiados.

Oral Clonidine Premedication Blunts the Heart Rate Response to Intravenous Atropine in Awake Children

Comment Apparently two separate groups of Japanese researchers are simultaneously investigating the premedicating potential of oral clonidine, a centrally acting α-agonist. In awake adults, oral clonidine can cause bradycardia and hypotension and reduces the chronotropic response to intravenous atropine (Nishikawa et al.). In this investigation, high-dose (4 μg/kg) oral clonidine premedication in children, 10.8 ± 1.6 yr, also attenuated the increase in heart rate (HR) produced by intravenous atropine (10 μg/ kg) but did not cause significant changes in HR or blood pressure (BP) at the same or lower (2 M-g/kg) doses. No adverse effects of atropine were reported in this study, even though atropine doses as high as 30 μg/kg were required to increase HR 20 bpm in low-dose study patients, and atropine doses of 40 μg/kg were ineffective in 2 of 16 patients in the high-dose group. In addition, premedication with high-dose oral clonidine produced significandy higher (p <0.05, test statistic unreported) sedation scores than premedication with placebo or low-dose (2 μg/kg) oral clonidine. The authors concluded that effective (4 μg/kg) premedicating doses of oral clonidine can suppress the HR response to intravenous atropine in awake children; large doses (30–40+ μg/kg) of atropine may be required to increase HR 20 bpm in children

Oral Clonidine Premedication Reduces Postoperative Pain in Children

Clonidine is an effective preanesthetic medication in children, providing a preoperative sedative effect. The analgesic properties of the drug have been well documented in adults. The current study was designed to investigate the effect of oral clonidine given preoperatively on postoperative pain in children undergoing minor surgery. In a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial, 90 children aged 5-12 yr undergoing elective ophthalmic, urologic, and otologic surgery received placebo (control), clonidine 2 micrograms/kg, or clonidine 4 micrograms/kg. These drugs were administered 105 min before the estimated time of induction of anesthesia and followed by treatment with oral atropine 0.03 mg/kg 60 min before anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with halothane and nitrous oxide in oxygen. Postoperative pain was assessed by a blinded observer using an objective pain scale (OPS). Clonidine 4 micrograms/kg provided lower OPS (highest) scores during 12 h after surgery and reduced requirement for postoperative supplementary analgesic (diclofenac suppository) compared with the other two regimens. These data suggest that oral clonidine premedication (4 micrograms/kg) is a possible approach to facilitating postoperative analgesia in children undergoing minor surgery.

Oral Clonidine Premedication Blunts the Heart Rate Response to Intravenous Atropine in Awake Children

Clonidine, which is known to have analgesic and sedative properties, has recently been shown to be an effective preanesthetic medication in children. The drug may cause side effects, including bradycardia and hypotension. This study was conducted to evaluate the ability of intravenous atropine to increase the heart rate (HR) in awake children receiving clonidine preanesthetic medication. We studied 96 otherwise healthy children, 8-13 yr old, undergoing minor surgery. They received, at random, oral clonidine 2 or 4 micrograms.kg-1 or placebo 105 min before scheduled induction of anesthesia. Part I (n = 48, 16 per group): When hemodynamic parameters after insertion of a venous catheter had been confirmed to be stable, atropine was administered in incremental doses of 2.5, 2.5, and 5 micrograms.kg-1 every 2 min. The HR and blood pressure were recorded at 1-min intervals. Part II (n = 48, 16 per group): After the recording of baseline hemodynamic values, successive doses of atropine (5 micrograms.kg-1 every 2 min, to 40 micrograms.kg-1), were administered until HR increased by 20 beats.min-1. The HR and blood pressure were recorded at 1-min intervals. Part I: The increases in HR in response to a cumulative dose of atropine 10 micrograms.kg-1 were 33 +/- 3%, 16 +/- 3%, and 8 +/- 2% (mean +/- SEM) in children receiving placebo, clonidine 2 micrograms.kg-1, and clonidine 4 micrograms.kg-1, respectively (P < 0.05). Part II: The HR in the control group increased by more than 20 beats.min-1 in response to atropine 20 micrograms.kg-1 or less. In two patients in the clonidine 4 micrograms.kg-1 group, HR did not increase by 20 beats.min-1 even after 40 micrograms.kg-1 of atropine. Oral clonidine premedication (4 micrograms.kg-1) blunted the increase in HR after intravenous atropine in awake children, although clonidine 2 micrograms.kg-1 did not. A larger dose of atropine was required to increase the HR by 20 beats.min-1 in children receiving the premedicant in the larger dose.

小児外科手術におけるミダゾラム経口前投薬法の検討

小児外科手術におけるミダゾラム経口前投薬法の検討

Comparison of rectal midazolam and diazepam for premedication in pediatrie dental patients

Rectally administered midazolam (0.35 mg/kg) and diazepam (0.70 mg/kg) were compared with each other and with placebo for preanesthetic medication in children undergoing dental extractions. All rectal medications were very well accepted, but mask acceptance, improvement in anxiety, and sedation were best in the midazolam group. Improvement in anxiety and sedation were significantly better in the two drug groups than in those patients who had received placebo. Thirty minutes after rectal administration of midazolam, patients showed a decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. Although these decreases differed significantly from the premedication values, they were probably of little clinical importance. Only minor adverse effects were observed in this study. Overall rectally administered midazolam appeared to be somewhat more efficacious than diazepam.

Oral Ketamine Preanesthetic Medication in Children

The authors sought to define a dose of oral ketamine that would facilitate induction of anesthesia without causing significant side effects. Forty-five children (ASA Physical Status 1 and 2; aged 1-7 yr) were assigned randomly in a prospective, double-blind fashion to three separate groups that received either 3 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg, or no ketamine mixed in 0.2 ml/kg cola-flavored soft drink. They also were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively for acceptance of oral ketamine as a premedicant, reaction to separation from parents, emotional state, and emergence phenomena. The authors detected no episodes of respiratory depression, tachycardia, or arterial hemoglobin desaturation before, during, or after surgery. The 6 mg/kg dose was well accepted; provided uniform, predictable sedation within 20-25 min; and allowed calm separation from parents and good induction conditions. The 3 mg/kg dose did not always cause sedation and calm separation from parents. Neither dose of ketamine increased the incidence of laryngospasm, prolonged recovery times, or caused emergence phenomena. The authors conclude that an oral dose of 6 mg/kg ketamine is easily administered and well accepted in young children and provides predictable, satisfactory premedication without significant side effects.

Rectal ketamine and midazolam for premedication in pediatric dentistry

Rectally administered midazolam (0.30 mg/kg) and ketamine (5 mg/kg) were compared for preanesthetic medication in children undergoing dental extractions. Sixty patients between the ages 2 and 9 years were randomly allocated to three groups in this double-blind study. In one group of patients who received ketamine rectally, intravenous midazolam (0.05 mg/kg) also was administered immediately after induction of anesthesia. The results from this trial show that 30 minutes after rectal administration of the two drugs, good anxiolysis, sedation, and cooperation were obtained in most patients. Although midazolam appeared to be marginally more efficacious than ketamine in the majority of assessments made and seemed to have less adverse effects, no statistically significant differences could be shown. Ketamine showed a slight decrease and midazolam a slight increase in average blood pressures after premedication. These blood pressure differences were, however, considered to be of little clinical importance.

Double-blind Comparison of Oral Transmucosal Fentanyl Citrate with Oral Meperidine, Diazepam, and Atropine as Preanesthetic Medication in Children with Congenital Heart Disease

The effectiveness of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) as preanesthetic medication was compared with oral meperidine, diazepam, and atropine (MDA) in 40 pediatric patients scheduled to undergo repair of congenital heart defects. In a double-blinded manner, patients received a fentanyl lollipop (20-25 micrograms/kg) and a placebo oral solution (0.4 ml/kg) (n = 20) or a placebo lollipop and an oral solution (0.4 ml/kg) of meperidine (1.5 mg/kg), diazepam (0.2 mg/kg), and atropine (0.02 mg/kg) (n = 20). The patient's vital signs, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2), as well as activity and apprehension scores were evaluated and recorded at baseline and at 10-min intervals. The patient's emotional status at the time of parental separation and at induction of anesthesia were also assessed. Side effects and onset of action were observed. After OTFC, onset of sedation was significantly faster than with the oral solution of meperidine, diazepam, and atropine. In both groups there was no significant change in heart rate. Although systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate showed statistically significant decreases, these changes were not clinically significant. The child's emotional status at the time of separation from the parents and during induction was similar in both groups. Side effects with OTFC were more frequent: nose itching occurred in 65%, body itching in 10%, and vomiting in 30%. Two patients (10%) in the OTFC-treated group became hypoxemic (SpO2 less than 90) and required supplemental oxygen. In the group receiving oral meperidine, diazepam, and atropine, 10% had mild facial pruritus and 5% complained of a dry mouth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Preanesthetic medication with rectal midazolam in children undergoing dental extractions

Three different dosages (0.25, 0.35, and 0.45 mg/kg) of rectally administered midazolam were compared with each other and with placebo for preanesthetic medication in children undergoing dental extractions. Eighty patients between the ages of 2 and 10 years were randomly allocated into four groups in this double-blind study. The results from this trial show that 30 minutes after rectal administration of all doses of midazolam, good anxiolysis, sedation, and cooperation were obtained in most patients. A high prevalence (23%) of disinhibition reactions was observed, particularly in the 0.45 mg/kg group. For this reason, 0.25 or 0.35 mg/kg appears to be the dose of choice when rectal midazolam is used for premedication in children.

Preanesthetic Medication in Children

Initial studies have suggested that oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) in a dose of 15-20 micrograms/kg may be a safe and effective preanesthetic medication in children and adults, but this has not been demonstrated in a randomized, double-blind fashion. The purpose of this study was to determine in a randomized, double-blind manner, the efficacy of a lollipop containing fentanyl citrate as a preanesthetic medication before surgery in children. Forty health ASA physical status 1 or 2 children 3-12 yr of age were divided randomly and in double-blind fashion into two groups. Group 1 received the lollipop containing OTFC and group 2 received a placebo lollipop. An appropriate size lollipop was chosen so that if the patient received fentanyl, the total dose would be 15-20 micrograms/kg. Anxiety, sedation, and separation scores were assessed preoperatively and ease of induction was rated. Oxygen saturation and respiratory rate were monitored. Time intervals from preanesthetic to induction and from recovery room (PACU) admission to discharge were noted. Recovery room behavior was assessed upon admission and discharge. Complications and the need for postoperative opioids were noted. OTFC produced significantly more sedation and less anxiety compared with that following placebo. Respiratory rate was significantly decreased in the OTFC group, but oxygen saturation was not significantly different between groups. Anxiety and separation scores and the quality of induction were better in the OTFC group. There was a higher incidence of nausea and pruritus in the fentanyl group. OTFC did not prolong the PACU stay.