Key result
Chloral hydrate produced superior conditions at induction of anaesthesia in younger children, whereas no premedicant reduced anxiety in older children compared to placebo.
Why the study?
Do oral premedicants (chloral hydrate, diazepam, alprazolam, midazolam) improve perioperative behaviour in children undergoing day surgery compared to placebo?
RCT (n=339)
Double-blind
randomly selected
Do oral premedicants (chloral hydrate, diazepam, alprazolam, midazolam) improve perioperative behaviour in children undergoing day surgery compared to placebo?
Chloral hydrate provides superior induction conditions in younger children, but routine oral premedication with these agents in older children offers no advantage over placebo and may be unpalatable or prolong awakening.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Favors chloral hydrate for younger children at induction; challenges routine oral premedication in older children and supports age-stratified trials.
Anderson et al. (1990) conducted an RCT in Day-stay surgery (n=339). Chloral hydrate, diazepam, alprazolam, midazolam vs. Placebo was evaluated on Preoperative and postoperative behaviour. Chloral hydrate produced superior conditions at induction of anaesthesia in younger children, whereas no premedicant reduced anxiety in older children compared to placebo.
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