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Comparison of oral and intramuscular preanesthetic medication for pediatric inpatient surgery

S C Nicolson1, E K Betts, D R Jobes

  • 1Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania.

Anesthesiology
|July 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Oral preanesthetic medication offers a viable alternative to injections for pediatric patients. This study found oral medications equally or more effective than injections for anesthesia preparation without adverse effects.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Childhood fear of injections can negatively impact the effectiveness of preanesthetic medication.
  • The trauma associated with injections may counteract the psychological benefits of preanesthetic agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral preanesthetic medication as a replacement for injectable forms.
  • To compare the pharmacologic effects of oral versus intramuscular preanesthetic agents in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was conducted.
  • Sixty-seven healthy pediatric inpatients over one year of age participated.
  • Oral (meperidine, pentobarbital) and intramuscular (morphine, pentobarbital) premedications were compared.

Main Results:

  • Children receiving oral medication exhibited significantly greater drowsiness (P < 0.001) and cooperation (P < 0.01) during anesthesia induction.
  • No significant adverse side effects were noted in either group.
  • Oral preanesthetic medication proved as or more effective than intramuscular administration.

Conclusions:

  • Oral preanesthetic medication is a safe and effective alternative to injections for pediatric surgical patients.
  • The benefits of preanesthetic medication can be achieved in most pediatric surgical cases without the need for injections.
  • This approach mitigates injection-related anxiety and trauma in children.

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