Behaviour of small children before induction. The effect of parental presence and EMLA and premedication with triclofos or a placebo

The effect of the prescription of triclofos 70 mg/kg orally 90 minutes before operation on the behaviour of 263 children aged 1 to 5 years was studied in a blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. EMLA was applied to the dorsum of one hand when the premedication was administered, and all the children were accompanied by a parent during induction of anaesthesia. The frequency of satisfactory behaviour was significantly higher in the triclofos group (p less than 0.02), but the time spent in the recovery ward was increased.