[Premedication and preoperative fasting in pediatric anesthesia. Results of a survey]

This study evaluates the current practice of premedication and preoperative fasting in pediatric anaesthesia in Germany. A total of 90 questionnaires were mailed to randomly selected hospitals with departments or sections of anaesthesiology and pediatric surgery. 71 questionnaires were returned and analysed (reply rate 79%). 60% of the responding hospitals start premedication between the ages of 3 and 12 months and 32% between 1 and 2 years of age. Premedication ist most often given orally (64%), followed by rectal (29%) and intranasal (3%) routes. Midazolam is used by 96% of the respondents as the primary sedative premedication. Alternatively, promethazine and chloraldhydrate are most frequently used. Anticholinergic drugs are given routinely by 21% of the respondents. For the apprehensive child intramuscular ketamine is most often used (33%), followed by intranasal midazolam (22%), rectal midazolam (19%) and rectal thiopentone or methohexitone (13%). For children less than 1 year of age 63% of the hospitals restrict clear liquids 2 hours and 34% 3 or 4 hours before anaesthesia. 64% of the respondents require abstinence from milk for 4 hours and 30% for 6 hours prior to surgery. For children older than one year of age fasting period requirements for clear liquids were 2 hours (34%), 3 hours (27%), 4 hours (30%) and 6 hours (9%). For children over 1 year of age the majority allow solid food or milk up to 6 hours prior to anaesthesia (68% and 63%, respectively). The survey shows that premedication is started during the first two years of age by nearly all responding hospitals. Oral or rectal midazolam is the most frequently used premedication regimen. Preoperative fasting guidelines vary.