A randomized trial examining preoperative sedative medication and postoperative sleep in children

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Published on: December 6, 2016

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Christopher B Min1, Zeev N Kain2, Robert S Stevenson1

  • 1Department of Pediatric Psychology, CHOC Children's Hospital, Orange, CA, USA.

Journal of Clinical Anesthesia
|April 5, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Preoperative midazolam did not alter overall postoperative sleep patterns in children undergoing tonsillectomy. However, objective data showed children receiving midazolam were awake less at night post-surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Midazolam is known for preoperative anxiety reduction in children.
  • Limited research exists on midazolam's impact on postoperative sleep.
  • Understanding these effects is crucial for clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare postoperative sleep in children receiving midazolam versus a control group.
  • To investigate the effects of preoperative sedative medication on children's sleep post-surgery.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 70 children aged 3-12 undergoing tonsillectomy.
  • Participants received either acetaminophen alone (control) or acetaminophen with midazolam (experimental) preoperatively.
  • Postoperative behavioral recovery and objective sleep data via actigraphy were collected.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in overall sleep changes were observed between groups.
  • Actigraphy revealed children who received midazolam spent significantly less time awake during the night post-surgery (P = .01).

Conclusions:

  • Preoperative midazolam did not significantly alter general postoperative sleep changes in pediatric patients.
  • Objective data suggests a potential benefit in reduced nighttime awakenings with midazolam use.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand midazolam's postoperative behavioral effects on children.
Abstract

Keywords:
ActigraphyMidazolamPediatricsPost-operative period

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