Amnesic effect of midazolam as premedication in interval laparoscopic sterilization

Abstract

Midazolam, a water soluble bensodiasepine, has proven to induce a sleep pattern and amnesic effect that makes it preferable for use as a premedication for outpatient surgery. Used in addition to the regular anesthesia, Midazolam obviates the ineffectiveness of the analgesic drug. Since 1970, neuroleptic analgesia has been used as a method of outpatient anesthesia. Unfortunately, neuroleptic analgesia has provided inadequate coverage of pain relief causing pain and discomfort to patients. When a sedation and anxiolytic premedication are used, the patient acceptance increases. In a study in Ramathibodi hospital, Bangkok, Thailand effectiveness of midazolam as a premedication drug in laparoscopic interval sterilization, 150 women capable of reproduction and who were schelduled for the operation were studied. All of the women received 15mg midazolam orally either 60 or 90 minutes before the operation. The women were divided into 3 groups of 50 classified by the type of analgesic administered (tramadol or pethidine). Heart and respiratory rates and blood pressure were measured prior to, during, and after the operation. No difference in the rate of amnesia was found among the 3 groups, and a rate of 36% of amnesia was found in the study. Those results were lower than earlier reports, possibly due to circumstances at the hospital such as lack of coordination between administration of the medication and timing of the surgery.