A Prospective Study on Effect of Premedication With Oral Midazolam on Preoperative Anxiety in Children With History of Previous Surgery

Abstract

BACKGROUND Addressing child anxiety during medical procedures is a growing trend and dental treatment is no exception. MATERIALS AND METHODS Randomized, prospective, double-blind study. Seventy-eight American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) I children were divided into two groups of 39 each. Children of the first group were premedicated with oral Midazolam 0.5 mg/Kg, while children of the control group were premedicated with a placebo. Scores for parental separation, mask acceptance, postoperative emergence delirium, and time spent in the post-anaesthesia care unit were compared statistically. RESULTS Anxiety scores after premedication were statistically insignificant in children without a history of previous surgery and in those with a history of previous surgery. Baseline anxiety scores were comparable in the two groups. CONCLUSION Anxiety scores after premedication with midazolam were similar in children with history of previous anaesthesia exposure and those experiencing anaesthesia for the first time. Anxiety was compared after premedication in children with a history of previous surgery and those without a history of previous surgery.

Supporting paediatric patients: Parental presence in the anaesthetic journey

“…Pharmacological interventions such as benzodiazepines can be used to alleviate anxiety in children, both for the first time a child undergoes anaesthesia and repeated surgery 18 . There is agreement that giving a premedication can ensure a smoother induction for some children and parents 18 .…”

“…Pharmacological interventions such as benzodiazepines can be used to alleviate anxiety in children, both for the first time a child undergoes anaesthesia and repeated surgery 18 . There is agreement that giving a premedication can ensure a smoother induction for some children and parents 18 . However, it is important to highlight that use of benzodiazepines can cause adverse effects such as paradoxical reactions, extended sedation in recovery and unpleasant behavioural changes 19 .…”