Efficacy and Safety of Rectal Sedation and Analgesia in Ambulatory Pediatric Surgery

Abstract

Purpose of the study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of conscious sedation in ambulatory pediatric surgery. During 50 settings 38 patients were administered 0.75 mg/kg Ketamine and 0.4 mg/kg Midazolam rectally prior to the diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. Effects on vital signs, anxiolysis and pain reduction were documented. Side effects and complications were assessed. Satisfaction of patients and their parents were evaluated separately. Conscious Sedation can been administered safely by the physician, even in the absence of anesthesiological colleagues, as long as the correct indication is taken account of and only well established analgetics in standardised doses are given. Furthermore the intervention needs to take place in a well-organised setting. Advantages of the procedure are a cooperative patient with stable vital signs with the patients themselves and their parents profiting from stress-reduction through amnesia and effective pain management.