Comparison of Rectal Diazepam and Subcutaneous Morphine-Scopolamine Administration for Outpatient Sedation in Minor Oral Surgery

In a randomized cross-over study on sedation in outpatient oral surgery, subcutaneous administration of morphine-scopolamine was compared with rectal administration of diazepam. The mean dose of morphine was 0.13 mg kg-1 (range 0.13-0.24) and of diazepam 0.57 mg kg-1 (range 0.50-0.71). Apprehension, the determining factor for patients' preference for sedation method, the recovery from sedation and the postoperative course were studied. Both methods produced the desired effects. For diazepam, the effect was scored higher by the patient than the nurse observer and for morphine-scopolamine the opposite was found. Postoperative pain and patients' preference for sedation did not differ between the methods and the determining factor for the patients' preference for sedation method was the experience of stronger tranquilization. Side-effects such as prolonged recovery, nausea, dizziness, and dysphoria were frequent during the postoperative course after the morphine-scopolamine sedation but were not seen during diazepam sedation. Thus, rectal administration of diazepam should be preferred to morphine and scopolamine for sedation in minor oral surgery performed under local anesthesia.