Diazepam Premedication in Primary Augmentation Mammoplasty

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Anesthesiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Outpatient surgical centers are increasingly utilized for elective procedures like breast augmentation.
• Preoperative anxiolytics, such as diazepam, are sometimes administered to manage patient anxiety.
• The impact of preoperative diazepam on the postoperative recovery course in augmentation mammoplasty requires further evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effect of preoperative oral diazepam on the postoperative recovery of patients undergoing primary augmentation mammoplasty.
• To compare pain scores, medication requirements, and discharge times between patients receiving diazepam and a control group.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 189 patients undergoing primary breast augmentation between 2012 and 2015.
• Comparison of a group receiving oral diazepam premedication with a control group.
• Collection of data on demographics, perioperative medications, operative details, and postoperative pain scores.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in age, BMI, implant size, or intraoperative opioid use between groups.
• Operative time was slightly longer in the control group (P = .006).
• Postoperative narcotic use (P = .036) and predischarge pain scores (P = .006) were higher in the diazepam group, with no significant reduction in discharge time.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative oral diazepam does not significantly reduce discharge time in primary augmentation mammoplasty.
• The use of diazepam in this context may lead to increased postoperative narcotic consumption and elevated pain levels at discharge.
• Current evidence does not support the routine use of preoperative diazepam for primary breast augmentation in outpatient settings.