| Abstract: | 90 children of age between 1 and 10 years who were scheduled for adenotomy were randomized into 3 premedication-groups. Group 1 received no premedication, group 2 chlorprothixene 1 mg/kg i.m. and group 3 chlorprothixene 2 mg/kg orally. Prior to induction of anaesthesia 63.3% of the unpremedicated children were anxious or crying, in contrast to 23.3% of the children given oral or i.m. premedication. With respect to the reaction on venepuncture with a Butterfly G 23, there was no significant difference between the groups. The volume of gastric acid (median values) was 0.056 ml/kg in group 1, 0.063 ml/kg in group 2, and 0.068 ml/kg in group 3, with a pH of 2.0, 1.5 and 2.0 respectively. One hour after operation 44.8% of the children in group 1, 92.6% in group 2 and 84.6% in group 3 were calm or sleeping. Premedication definitively improves the pre- and postoperative management of children. We now recommend oral chlorprothixene for the premedication of children because the effect of this oral premedication is equivalent to i.m. application, and the oral route has no influence on the quantity or acidity of gastric contents. |
