[Clinical evaluation of diazepam suppository for premedication in children]

Anesthesiologists need a safe and effective premedication before general anesthesia and want to help decrease anxiety and minimize psychologic trauma to children. Therefore, we evaluated diazepam suppository (0.5 mg.kg-1 body weight) administered to 21 children before minor surgery under general anesthesia. We evaluated the sedative effect of the diazepam suppository (tablet) on the arrival at the operating room, during anesthesia induction and in the recovery room. On the arrival at operating room, 86% of children were sedated, and 65% of children could be induced smoothly under mask. There was no delayed emergence. Plasma diazepam level at induction was 376.5 +/- 28.4 ng.ml-1, which is the level needed for sedation. We conclude that diazepam suppository is a useful drug for premedication in children.