[A comparison of midazolam and diazepam for intramuscular premedication]

Two groups of 27 individuals--12 males and 15 females each--were constituted thanks to the envelopes technique. The first group received 10 mg of midazolam and the second 15 mg of diazepam as an intramuscular premedication, 30 minutes before a surgical operation. Sedation of preoperatoire anxiety was relevant in 26 subjects after midazolam and in 11 after diazepam (p less than 0,001). Amnesia related to the different times of the operative procedure was more frequent in the midazolam group than in the diazepam group: 70 p. 100 versus 4 p. 100 for the arrival into the operating room (p less than 0,001) and 96 p. 100 versus 78 p. 100 for the recovery on operating table (p less than 0,05). The effects on blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate are not significantly different in both groups: neither is the local and general tolerance. Considering its greater efficiency with a similar tolerance, midazolam as compared with diazepam can be regarded as a superior intramuscular premedicant.