[Morphine and scopolamine in premedication. A comparison of peroral and transdermal administration with intramuscular injections]

A randomized clinical study was undertaken to compare the feasibility and effectiveness of two different premedications. Thirty-eight patients admitted for elective tonsillectomy gave informed consent and were randomly assigned to two groups. One group received morphine orally and scopolamine transdermally. In the second group, the same substances were applied intramuscularly before the operation. The following parameters were evaluated: psychological state, sedation, hemodynamics, salivation, pain and side effects. General anesthesia was maintained with thiopental, fentanyl, N2O/O2, and enflurane; alcuronium was used for muscle relaxation. The results showed no significant differences between the groups for any of the parameters considered.