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)     

The effects of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate premedication on preoperative behavioral responses and gastric volume and acidity in children

The authors compared the safety, efficacy, and effects on gastric volume and pH of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) premedication and of placebo lollipop and no premedication in 55 children undergoing elective operations. The patients were randomly assigned to receive no premedication (group A, N = 18); OTFC containing 15-20 micrograms/kg of fentanyl citrate (group B, N = 18); or a placebo lollipop (group C, N = 19). Activity (sedation) and anxiety scores, vital signs (including systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressures, heart and respiratory rates), and pulse oximetry determined oxygen saturation were measured before and at 10-min intervals after premedication until the patients were taken to the operating room. Gastric contents were aspirated via an orogastric tube and analyzed for volume and pH after induction of anesthesia. Quality of induction and recovery were evaluated using scoring schedules; recovery times were measured and side effects recorded. OTFC was readily accepted and provided levels of sedation and anxiolysis significantly greater after 10 min than after no premedication or the placebo lollipop. Arterial blood pressures, heart rate, and oxygen saturations were not different among the three groups. In patients given OTFC, respiratory rates were significantly lower after 10 min than they were in patients having no premedication.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Premedication in children: a comparison of oral midazolam and oral clonidine

BACKGROUND: Oral premedication is widely used in pediatric anesthesia to reduce preoperative anxiety and ensure smooth induction. Midazolam is currently the most commonly used premedicant, but good results have also been reported with clonidine. The aim of the present study was to compare clinical effects of oral midazolam and oral clonidine. METHODS: We performed a prospective open study in 64 children who were randomly assigned to receive either oral midazolam 0.5 mg.kg (-1) (group M) or oral clonidine 4 microg.kg (-1) (group C) prior to mask induction. Drug acceptance, preoperative sedation and anxiolysis, quality of mask acceptance, recovery profile and parental satisfaction were evaluated. RESULTS: The taste of oral clonidine was judged as significantly better; 14% of children rejected oral midazolam. Onset of sedation was significantly faster after premedication with midazolam (30+/-13.1 min) than with clonidine (38.5+/-14.6 min), but level of sedation was significantly better after premedication with clonidine. Quality of mask induction was equally successful in both groups. A steal-induction was performed in 66% of patients of group C, but none in group M. We observed a trend towards an increased incidence of emergence agitation after premedication with midazolam. Parental satisfaction was significantly higher in group C. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, premedication with oral clonidine appeared to be superior to oral midazolam. Quality of mask acceptance was comparable between groups, but oral clonidine was better accepted by the child, produced more effective preoperative sedation, showed a trend towards better recovery from anesthesia and had a higher degree of parental satisfaction.     

Oral midazolam in children: effect of time and adjunctive therapy.

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of timing and concomitant administration of atropine and/or meperidine on the perioperative effects of oral midazolam in children. In 154 healthy children, 1-8 yr old, we studied six oral preanesthetic medication regimens according to a randomized, double-blind protocol. Group A (placebo) received 5 mL of apple juice. The other five groups received medication with apple juice to a total volume of 5 mL, 20-60 min before induction of anesthesia. Group B received atropine (0.02 mg/kg); group C received midazolam (0.5 mg/kg); group D received midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) and atropine (0.02 mg/kg); group E received meperidine (1.5 mg/kg) and atropine (0.02 mg/kg); and group F received meperidine (1.5 mg/kg), atropine (0.02 mg/kg), and midazolam (0.5 mg/kg). The sedative effect of midazolam was maximal 30 min after oral administration. Ninety-five percent of the children who were separated from their parents within 45 min after oral midazolam administration (with or without atropine) had satisfactory separation scores (vs 66% of those separated after 45 min; P less than 0.02). Midazolam-treated patients were more cooperative with a mask induction of anesthesia compared with non-midazolam-treated children (83% vs 56%). Neither atropine nor meperidine appeared to significantly improve the effectiveness of oral midazolam. No preoperative changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, or hemoglobin oxygen saturation were noted in any of the treatment groups. Finally, oral midazolam did not prolong recovery even after outpatient procedures lasting less than 30 min. In conclusion, midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) given orally 30-45 min before induction of anesthesia is safe and effective without delaying recovery after ambulatory surgery.     

Diazepam and atropine as premedicants: no discrimination by monoamine metabolite and catecholamine measurements in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma

The relationships between self-reported assessments of the quality of the preoperative night's sleep, preoperative anxiety, and several biochemical and physiological indicators of stress reaction were investigated in pregnant women at term receiving no premedication (n = 15), a placebo tablet (n = 15), diazepam 5 mg p.o. (n = 15), or atropine 0.01 mg/kg i.m. (n = 15), in connection with spinal analgesia for elective caesarean section. In the patients receiving no premedication, the subjective estimate of the quality of the preoperative night's sleep was negatively associated with concentrations of noradrenaline (NA) and its metabolite, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in CSF, and with plasma adrenaline. The anxiolytic effect of diazepam was reflected as significantly lower plasma levels of another metabolite of NA, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG). Placebo and diazepam, and to a lesser extent atropine, confounded the statistical relationships between the clinical and biochemical responses found in the patients with no premedication. On the whole, the biochemical monoamine measurements were of little use in determining the clinical effects of different kinds of premedicants.     

Steal-induction after clonidine premedication: a comparison of the oral and nasal route

BACKGROUND: Clonidine premedication in children reliably provides preoperative sedation and anxiolysis, but onset of oral clonidine is known to be slow. Nasal clonidine has been shown to reach peak plasma levels within 10 min in rodents. The aim of the present study was to compare clinical effects and percentage of steal-induction after clonidine premedication by the oral and nasal route. METHODS: Forty children, aged 1-6 years, scheduled for minor infraumbilical surgery, were randomly assigned to receive either pure clonidine 4 microgxkg(-1) intranasally (group CN, n = 20) or clonidine 4 microgxkg(-1) orally in syrup (group CO, n = 20) prior to mask induction. Drug acceptance, preoperative sedation and anxiolysis, quality of mask acceptance, recovery profile and parents' satisfaction were evaluated. RESULTS: Drug acceptance was similar between groups, but quality of taste was significantly better in the oral group. There was no significant difference of preoperative anxiolysis and sedation. The onset of sedative effect was after 38.3 min for oral clonidine and 47.5 min for nasal clonidine. A steal-induction could be performed in 60% of children in each group. Emergence from anesthesia and parents' satisfaction were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Intranasal clonidine administration has no advantage over the oral route. Clinical effects were similar with both routes; there was a trend towards a faster onset of sedation with oral clonidine. Clonidine premedication causes light sleep, which allows a steal-induction in 60% of patients.     

The perioperative effects of oral premedication in children

The pre- and postoperative effects of oral diazepam (0.5 mg/kg), trimeprazine (4 mg/kg), pentobarbitone (3 mg/kg) and a placebo were compared in a randomized double-blind clinical trial in 149 children, aged one to ten years, undergoing adenotonsillectomy. The anaesthetic was standardised and each patient received intraoperative intramuscular papaveretum (0.3 mg/kg). Preoperative sedation was assessed in the ward before transfer onto the theatre trolley, on leaving the ward, on arrival on the theatre floor, on arrival in the induction room and on induction of anaesthesia. There was no significant difference in sedation between the four drug groups except for the placebo group which had a significantly greater unsatisfactory rating at the stage of induction of anaesthesia (P = 0.001). There were no differences in waking times between the diazepam, pentobarbitone and placebo groups, but the trimeprazine group's waking times were significantly prolonged (P less than 0.001). However, the trimeprazine group exhibited significantly less distress in the recovery unit (P = 0.02) and had half the incidence of vomiting (P less than 0.001) than did the other premedication groups.     

Diazepam premedication in children

Oral diazepam 0.25 mg/kg or 0.5 mg/kg was employed as premedication in one hundred and one children undergoing elective surgery. The drug failed to modify the rise in cardiorespiratory indices of preanaesthetic anxiety compared with control values, and there was no difference between the two doses assessed by a sedation scoring system. 0.25 mg/kg diazepam produced less sedation in children under 5 years old, compared with those 5 years and older, whereas 0.5 mg/kg produced no difference between the older and younger age groups. The plasma levels of diazepam were greater postoperatively in the 0.5 mg/kg group. There was no relationship between plasma diazepam and recall at induction, and pre-anaesthetic amnesia was not enhanced with the higher premedication dose.     

Efficacy and safety of premedication with oral ketamine for day-case adenoidectomy compared with rectal diazepam/diclofenac and EMLA

BACKGROUND: Because of its pain-attenuating and sedative properties oral ketamine has been used as premedication in children and adults. We wanted to compare in children scheduled for adenoidectomy safety and efficacy of oral ketamine with a premedication that causes similar preoperative sedation and relief of pain at the venepuncture site. We also evaluated the effect of i.v. glycopyrrolate added to these combinations. METHODS: One hundred children between 10 and 15 kg of body weight scheduled for day-case adenoidectomy were randomly assigned to one of four groups: groups DG and DS received diclofenac 12.5 mg and diazepam 0.5 mg/kg rectally, EMLA cream at the venepuncture site, and placebo orally; groups KG and KS received ketamine 6.0 mg/kg orally, placebo cream at the puncture site, and placebo rectally; additionally, groups DG and KG received glycopyrrolate 5 microg/kg, and groups DS and KS received placebo intravenously. We recorded perioperatively scores (open scale 1-9) for stridor, sedation, bleeding, nausea, pain, heart rate, the need for analgesics and registered psychotomimesis and well-being at home. RESULTS: The children of the K-groups became more tearful during separation from their parents (P=0.0072). No other differences were found between the ketamine and diazepam/diclofenac groups before and after premedication until induction of anaesthesia. Oral ketamine produced unpleasant psychotomimesis in four out of 59 children. During the first 10 min postoperatively, the score for stridor was significantly higher in group KS than in the D-groups; stridor scores > or = 6 were seen in one child of the D-groups (DS) and in six children of the K-groups (n.s.), of whom three developed laryngospasm (one reintubation). Glycopyrrolate diminished salivation in all groups, but had no effect on stridor scores. Additionally, glycopyrrolate delayed the onset of eating at home. CONCLUSION: Premedication with racemic oral ketamine 6 mg/kg does not seem to be suitable for upper airway procedures. Addition of i.v. glycopyrrolate before the induction of anaesthesia significantly reduced the scores for salivation.     

A combination of oral diazepam and droperidol for premedication. A double blind comparison with diazepam alone

Oral diazepam is commonly used as a premedicant. For a given dose there is considerable between patient variation in clinical effect and plasma levels. The addition of droperidol may improve consistency and contribute antiemesis whilst avoiding the undesirable effects of droperidol alone. Ninety patients undergoing minor gynecological or minor urological surgery were given as an oral premedicant either diazepam (0.185 mg/kg) or one of two combinations of diazepam and droperidol (diazepam, 0.185 mg/kg plus droperidol, 0.09 mg/kg; or diazepam, 0.135 mg/kg plus droperidol, 0.09 mg/kg). There was no significant difference between the groups in altering mean anxiety measurements or improving consistency of action as judged by the number of patients having reduced anxiety measurements. Side effects, including nausea and vomiting, were not significantly different between the three groups. In the doses used there was no practical advantage in adding droperidol to diazepam for oral premedication.     

Comparison of rectal to intramuscular administration of midazolam and atropine for premedication of children

The effectiveness of midazolam and atropine as anaesthetic premedication was investigated, comparing rectal to intramuscular administration. A total of 202 children varying in age from 10 months to 9 years, who had been admitted to the Day Surgery Department for short ENT procedures, were assigned to one of two groups on a random basis. The first group (n = 102) was given 0.5 mg/kg midazolam and 0.05 mg/kg atropine as a rectal solution 30 to 75 min prior to induction, while the second group (n = 100) was given 0.15 mg/kg midazolam and 0.02 mg/kg atropine as an intramuscular injection 20 to 60 min prior to induction. The levels of sedation and salivation were compared, as was the degree of tolerance to intravenous induction. The parents of children older than 3 years of age were given a questionnaire designed to determine the degree of amnesia. We found this combination of drugs to be effective in the relief of anxiety, the inhibition of salivary secretion and the promotion of memory loss, regardless of the route of administration. We feel that rectal administration is preferable because it is not associated with pain or anxiety.     

Oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate for preanesthetic medication of pediatric day surgery patients with and without droperidol as a prophylactic anti-emetic.

he safety and efficacy of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) as a preanesthetic medication and the efficacy of droperidol as a prophylactic anti-emetic were evaluated in 100 children aged 2-8 yr undergoing general anesthesia for outpatient surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups and managed in a double-blinded manner: 1) placebo lozenge 45 min preoperatively and placebo (normal saline) injected intravenously after induction of anesthesia; 2) placebo lozenge 45 min preoperatively and 50 micrograms/kg droperidol intravenously after induction; 3) 15-20 micrograms/kg OTFC lozenge 45 min preoperatively and placebo intravenously after induction; and 4) 15-20 micrograms/kg OTFC lozenge 45 min preoperatively and droperidol 50 micrograms/kg intravenously after induction. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with halothane and nitrous oxide in oxygen. Heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO2) were monitored throughout the study. Scoring systems were used to evaluate sedation, anxiety, cooperation, and ease and quality of anesthetic induction. Emergence, recovery, and discharge times were recorded. Nausea, vomiting, and adverse effects were noted. Preoperatively, children receiving OTFC had significantly greater sedation, slower respiratory rates, lower SpO2, and less excitement during induction. Postoperative nausea and vomiting occurred significantly more frequently after OTFC than after placebo. Prophylactic droperidol did not significantly reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting. The authors conclude that, in pediatric surgical outpatients, OTFC reliably induces preoperative sedation and facilitates inhalation induction of anesthesia, but it is associated with significant decreases in respiratory rate and SpO2 and a high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting that is not significantly reduced by prophylactic droperidol.     

The effect of preoperative oral droperidol on the incidence of postoperative emesis after paediatric strabismus surgery

Most children vomit after strabismus surgery. Administration of intravenous droperidol to unpremedicated paediatric patients following induction but prior to eye manipulation markedly reduces the incidence of postoperative emesis. This study tested the hypothesis that even earlier administration of droperidol, orally as a component of an oral premedication, would further reduce the incidence of postoperative emesis in this group of patients. Sixty-five patients were randomized into three premedication groups. One group received the standard oral premedication used for all outpatients at our institution (meperidine 1.5 mg.kg-1, diazepam 0.15 mg.kg-1, atropine 0.02 mg.kg-1). In the other two groups, droperidol in a dose of 50 or 75 micrograms.kg-1 was substituted for the diazepam. Droperidol-treated groups demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of vomiting prior to hospital discharge compared to the groups that received the standard oral premedication (standard--73 per cent, 50 micrograms.kg-1 droperidol--33 per cent, 75 micrograms.kg-1 droperidol--36 per cent) without prolonging hospital stay.     

Preanesthetic medication in children: a comparison of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate versus placebo

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.     

Comparison of a combination of midazolam and diazepam and midazolam alone as oral premedication on preanesthetic and emergence condition in children

BACKGROUND: Preanesthetic anxiety and emergence agitation are major challenges for anesthesiologists in pediatric anesthesia. Thus, midazolam has been used as premedication for children. However, midazolam alone is not effective for emergence agitation. The present study tested the effect of a combination of midazolam and diazepam on the preanesthetic condition and emergence behavior in children. METHODS: Forty-two children were allocated to one of three groups: the NoPre group received no premedication; the Mi group received midazolam 0.5 mg kg(-1) orally; and the Mi + Di group received midazolam 0.25 mg kg(-1) and diazepam 0.25 mg kg(-1) orally. When anesthesia was induced with 7% sevoflurane in 100% oxygen, qualities of mask induction and sedation were rated. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane (3-5%) in 100% oxygen. During emergence from anesthesia, the score of the child's emergence behavior was rated. RESULTS: Children in the Mi and Mi + Di groups were more sedated than those in the NoPre group. A combination of midazolam and diazepam provided a better quality of mask induction, when compared with no premedication. Also, the children in the Mi + Di group were less agitated than those in the other groups during the emergence. CONCLUSION: Children in the Mi + Di group were significantly more sedated at induction of anesthesia and less agitated during emergence from anesthesia.     

The Influence of Intramuscularly Administered Pethidine on the Amnesic Effects of Intravenous Diazepam during Intravenous Regional Anaesthesia

Patients undergoing surgery under regional anaesthesia often receive narcotic analgesics for premedication which may modify the sedative and amnesic effects of intravenously administered diazepam. Sixty-two patients scheduled for upper extremity surgery under intravenous regional anaesthesia received 0.15 mg/kg of diazepam intravenously to supplement the local anaesthesia. Thirty-two of the patients received 0.01 mg/kg of atropine plus 1 mg/kg of pethidine and 30 patients only atropine intramuscularly approximately 1 h before the injection of diazepam. Another 30 patients received the same atropine-pethidine premedication and saline intravenously, and served as a reference group. Atropine-pethidine premedication followed by saline did not produce any amnesic effects. Sixty-nine and 38% of patients receiving atropine-pethidine premedication followed by diazepam did not remember a picture shown to them 15 min after diazepam injection or the performance of operation, respectively, the respective figures for patients given atropine premedication followed by diazepam being only 23% and 0% (P<0.01 - 0.001 between groups). The anti-recall of painful stimulus (exanguination) was significantly (P<0.01) more common when diazepam was given after pethidine premedication (31%) when compared to its injection after atropine alone (7 %). The drowsiness produced by the drugs was greatest and the overall patient acceptability of the technique used most satisfactory when pethidine was used for premedication and diazepam for sedation. It is concluded that intramuscularly administered pethidine potentiates the amnesic action of intravenous diazepam for painful stimuli, prolongs the amnesic action of diazepam for visual stimuli and improves the patients' acceptability of intravenous regional anaesthesia supplemented by intravenous diazepam.     

枸橼酸钠对先天性心脏病患儿咪达唑仑口服术前用药效果的影响

目的 探讨枸橼酸钠对先天性心脏病患儿咪达唑仑口服术前用药效果的影响.方法 选择拟行房缺修补术、室缺修补术或动脉导管结扎术的患儿40例,年龄2～6岁,体重12～20 kg,ASA分级Ⅱ或Ⅲ级,随机分为2组(n=20):对照组(C组)和枸橼酸钠组(S组).口服术前用药:S组为咪达唑仑0.12 ml/kg、氯胺酮0.12 ml/kg、葡萄糖0.12 ml/kg和枸橼酸钠0.12 ml/kg,等容积混合;C组为咪达唑仑0.12 ml/kg、氯胺酮0.12 ml/kg和葡萄糖0.24 ml/kg,等容积混合.用pH值1.75的盐酸模拟胃液,与两组配置好的药液在体外混合,分别测定两组混合药液的pH值.记录术前焦虑评分,口服术前药(0.48 ml/kg)后,记录咪达唑仑起效时间、镇静评分和与父母分离评分.入室后记录HR、MAP和SpO2,记录患儿对静脉穿刺反应评分和服药后的不良反应发生情况.结果 与盐酸混合后C组药物pH值为1.97,S组为4.52.两组患儿均成功口服术前药物.与C组比较,S组与父母分离评分、镇静评分和静脉穿刺反应评分降低,咪达唑仑起效时间缩短(P＜0.05),术前焦虑评分差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);两组患儿入室时HR、MAP和SpO2均在正常范围.两组患儿在服药后均未出现恶心呕吐、呼吸抑制等不良反应.结论 作为先天性心脏病患儿口服术前用药时,枸橼酸钠可提高药液的pH值,缩短咪达唑仑起效时间,加强镇静效果.     

A comparison of oral clonidine and oral midazolam as preanesthetic medications in the pediatric tonsillectomy patient

We compared the effects of oral clonidine (4 microg/kg) and midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) on the preanesthetic sedation and postoperative recovery profile in children during tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. In a double-blinded, double-dummy study design, 134 ASA physical status I-II children aged 4-12 yr were randomized to receive a combination of either clonidine and placebo (Group A), or placebo and midazolam (Group B) at 60-90 min and 30 min, respectively, before the induction of anesthesia. Children in the clonidine group exhibited more intense anxiety on separation and during induction of anesthesia via a mask as measured by the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scores. They also had significantly lower mean intraoperative arterial blood pressures, shorter surgery, anesthesia, and emergence times, and a decreased need for supplemental oxygen during recovery compared with the midazolam group. However, the clonidine group had larger postoperative opioid requirements, maximum excitement and pain scores based on the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario scale in the Phase 1 postanesthetic care unit. There were no differences between the two groups in the times to discharge readiness, postoperative emesis, unanticipated hospital admission rates, postdischarge maximum pain scores, and 24 h analgesic requirements. The percentage of parents who were completely satisfied with the child's preoperative experience was significantly higher in the midazolam group. There were no differences in parental satisfaction with the recovery period. We conclude that under the conditions of this study, oral midazolam is superior to oral clonidine as a preanesthetic medication in this patient population. Implications: We compared preanesthetic sedation and postoperative recovery after oral clonidine (4 microg/kg) and midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) in children during tonsillectomy. The clonidine group had greater preoperative anxiety and shorter surgery and anesthesia times, but required more postoperative analgesia. Delayed recovery and discharge times did not differ. Midazolam was superior to clonidine as oral preanesthetic medication for these patients.     

Oral transmucosal fentanyl pretreatment for outpatient general anesthesia

The oral transmucosal formulation of fentanyl citrate (OTFC) has been reported to be an effective sedative, providing convenient and atraumatic sedation for children prior to general anesthesia or painful diagnostic procedures. Thirty-three young children (24-60 months of age) scheduled for outpatient general anesthesia for treatment of dental caries were enrolled in this randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. To determine the effectiveness of the OTFC premedication, patient behavior was evaluated using three distinct outcome ratings. A sedation score rated behavior in the waiting room prior to OTFC as well as 10 minutes and 20 minutes after OTFC. A separation score rated the child's response to being separated from his/her parent or guardian for transport to the dental operatory. Finally, a cooperation score rated the child's acceptance of the mask induction. The OTFC formulation was well tolerated by most of the children in this study. Compared with the placebo oralet, the active OTFC improved behavior for separation from the parent (P < .05) and cooperation with the mask induction (P < .05). The duration of surgery and the time of recovery did not differ between placebo and active premedication. Side effects including respiratory and cardiovascular complications were reported more frequently in the active fentanyl group. Continuous monitoring of respiratory function is essential when using this unique and effective formulation of fentanyl for pediatric preanesthetic sedation.     

Chlorprothixene for premedication in children: oral versus intramuscular route (author's transl)]

The effect of chlorprothixene (Taractan), a neuroleptic agent, administered either intramuscularly (1 mg/kg) or orally as a 4% solution (1,5-2 mg/kg), was compared in a double-blind study in 200 children between 11 months and 10 years of age. In addition, intramuscular 1-hyoscyamine (Bellafolin) was given to all patients 30 minutes before the induction of anaesthesia (0.005-0.01 mg/kg). With regard to antisalivary action, suppression of reflex irritability, frequency of post-anaesthetic vomiting, postoperative sedation and requirement of postoperative analgesics, there was no significant difference between the two methods. Preoperative sedation was slightly more pronounced with the intramuscular technique. An undesirable side-effect, hypotension, was observed more often after intramuscular than oral premedication. To obtain optimum effect, an interval of 2 hours between the oral premedication and induction of anaesthesia is recommended.