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Rectal flunitrazepam as premedication in preschool children. A double-blind randomized study
C Estève1, I Murat, C Saint-Maurice
1Department of Paediatric Anaesthesia, Hopital Saint Vincent de Paul, Paris, France.
Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
|November 1, 1990
Summary
Rectal flunitrazepam (0.04 mg.kg-1) effectively sedated young children before anesthesia. This low-dose premedication improved mask acceptance and induction, with no adverse events observed, making it a safe option.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Pharmacology
- Preoperative Medicine
Background:
- Premedication in pediatric anesthesia aims to reduce anxiety and facilitate induction.
- Rectal administration offers a non-invasive route for young children.
- Flunitrazepam is a benzodiazepine with sedative properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose rectal flunitrazepam as a premedicant in children under 5 years.
- To compare flunitrazepam premedication with placebo for inhalational induction.
Main Methods:
- Double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 40 children under 5 years.
- Rectal flunitrazepam (0.04 mg.kg-1) administered 15 minutes before halothane mask induction.
- Assessment of sedation, mask acceptance, and induction scores.
Main Results:
- Significantly better sedation, mask acceptance, and induction scores in the flunitrazepam group.
- No hypoxic episodes or prolonged sedation were reported in either group.
- Rectal flunitrazepam demonstrated a favorable safety profile.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose rectal flunitrazepam is an effective and acceptable premedicant for young children.
- It improves the process of inhalational anesthesia induction.
- This method offers a safe and well-tolerated alternative for pediatric premedication.