In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the safety, efficacy and feasibility of oral midazolam premedication in children were evaluated in an ambulatory surgery unit. Eighty unmedicated children (ASA PSI or II, were randomly assigned to one of four groups receiving midazolam 0.5, O. 75, or 1.0 The ideal premedicant for children scheduled for ambulatory surgery should: (1) be available in a preparation that is readily accepted by the children; (2) have a relatively rapid and reliable onset; (3) provide anxiolysis with mild sedative effects; (4) have anxiolytic and sedative effects of sufficient duration to accommodate delays in operating room scheduling without delaying discharge; (5) be free of side effects that would necessitate high levels of nursing supervision; and (6) provide for a rapid recovery and return to alertness postoperatively, thereby permitting early discharge from the recovery area. The parenteral CAN J ANAESTH 1992 / 39:6 / pp 545-50

No abstract