[Rectal premedication using ketamine-dehydrobenzperidol-atropine in childhood]

In 60 children aged between two and 12 years the effect of rectal application of ketamine, dehydrobenzperiodol and atropine was investigated. The children were divided into two groups. Applying equal doses of dehydrobenzperidol and atropine, group B (30 children) received the half dose of ketamine which group A (30 children) received. This had a marked effect of preoperative salivation which was considerably less in group B. Using dehydrobenzperidol only 3.3% of the children vomited postoperatively. Sedation was satisfactory although especially the children in group B remained responsive, but were in a state of psychic indifference and motoric sedation. The applied combination of drugs effected a moderate reduction of heart rate. In general, we found that rectal application of 1 mg/kg ketamine, 0.15 mg/kg dehydrobenzperidol and 0.01 mg/kg atropine in children resulted in good preoperative sedation and exhibited relatively few side-effects.