Anesthetic premedication: new horizons of an old practice

Anxiolytic and Sedative Properties of Melatonin Premedication in Pediatrics Undergoing Elective Cardiac Catheterization: A Randomized Placebo Study

BACKGROUND

Preoperative anxiety in children has been linked to various postoperative consequences, such as postoperative regressive behavioral issues, extended distress during the recovery period, eating disorders, and bedwetting. The current study aimed to investigate the efficacy of low-dose oral melatonin in alleviating preoperative anxiety among children in the Iraqi population.

STUDY DESIGN

A randomized, double-blinded comparative study was undertaken, involving children aged four to 14 years scheduled for elective cardiac catheterization under general anesthesia. The study comprised a total of 80 children. The involved individuals were randomly assigned to two groups, each with 40 subjects. Group A received 0.5 mg/kg melatonin as premedication, while Group B received a placebo.

RESULTS

The two groups demonstrated similarity in mean age, weight, cardiac disease, and gender distribution. Statistically significant reductions in anxiety scores were observed in the melatonin group compared to the placebo group. Particularly, children administered 0.5 mg/kg melatonin exhibited the most substantial anxiolysis and venipuncture compliance (P < 0.05). Additionally, children who were premedicated with melatonin experienced decreased cognition, maximum sedation, successful parental separation, and psychomotor impairment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Melatonin demonstrated an effective sedation level without significant side effects, making it a preferred choice due to its efficacy, safety, current availability, and cost-effectiveness compared to other anesthetic agents used in premedication procedures.

Efficacy and Safety of Single-Dose Pregabalin in Preoperative Pediatric Sedation

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the anxiolytic and sedative effects of a single oral dose of 5 mg/kg pregabalin in pediatric patients undergoing elective surgery. It also assessed potential adverse effects and its impact on bispectral index (BIS) responses.

Materials and Methods

This prospective randomized clinical trial enrolled 60 pediatric patients undergoing minor elective surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either oral pregabalin (5 mg/kg) or a placebo one hour before induction of anesthesia. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A), and sedation levels were evaluated using the Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS).

Results

Pregabalin premedication significantly reduced preoperative anxiety, as indicated by lower VAS-A scores compared to the control group. Sedation levels, measured using the RSS, were significantly higher in the pregabalin group at various time points post-dose. During intubation, skin incision, and recovery, BIS responses were significantly lower in the pregabalin group.

Conclusion

The use of single-dose pregabalin preoperatively in children recorded a significant decrease in anxiety and achieved a state of sedation without an increase in adverse effects.

General Anesthetic Care of Obese Patients Undergoing Surgery: A Review of Current Anesthetic Considerations and Recent Advances

Obesity has long been linked to adverse health effects over time. As the prevalence of obesity continues to rise, it is important to anticipate and minimize the complications that obesity brings in the anesthesia setting during surgery. Anesthetic departments must recognize the innumerable risks when managing patients with obesity undergoing surgery, including anatomical and physiological changes as well as comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and malignancies. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to analyze the current literature and evaluate the current and recent advances in anesthetic care of obese patients undergoing surgery, to better understand the specific challenges this patient population faces. A greater understanding of the differences between anesthetic care for obese patients can help to improve patient care and the specificity of treatment. The examination of the literature will focus on differing patient outcomes and safety precautions in obese patients as compared to the general population. Specifically highlighting the differences in pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care, with the aim to identify issues and present possible solutions.

The anxiolytic effects of preoperative administration of pregabalin in comparison to diazepam and placebo

We aimed to evaluate the potential anxiolytic effects of premedication with pregabalin, compared with diazepam and placebo. We conducted this non-inferiority, double-blind, randomized controlled trial in ASA classification I-II patients aged 18-70 years, scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. They were allocated to receive pregabalin (75 mg the night before surgery and 150 mg 2 h before surgery), diazepam (5 and 10 mg in the same manner) or placebo. Preoperative anxiety was evaluated using verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS) and Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) before and after premedication. Sleep quality, sedation level, and adverse effects were assessed as secondary outcomes. A total of 231 patients were screened and 224 completed the trial. The mean change (95%CI) in anxiety scores from before to after medication in pregabalin, diazepam, and placebo groups for VNRS were - 0.87 (- 1.43, - 0.30), - 1.17 (- 1.74, - 0.60), and - 0.99 (- 1.56, - 0.41), and for APAIS were - 0.38 (- 1.04, 0.28), - 0.83 (- 1.49, - 0.16), and - 0.27 (- 0.95, 0.40). The difference in change for pregabalin versus diazepam was 0.30 (- 0.50, 1.11) for VNRS and 0.45 (- 0.49, 1.38) for APAIS, exceeding the limit of inferiority for APAIS of 1.3. Sleep quality was statistically different between pregabalin and placebo groups (p = 0.048). Sedation in pregabalin and diazepam groups were significantly higher than placebo group (p = 0.008). No significant differences of other side effects, except dry mouth was higher in placebo group compared with diazepam (p = 0.006). The study filed to provide evidence at non-inferiority of pregabalin compared to diazepam. Furthermore, premedication with either pregabalin or diazepam did not significantly reduce the preoperative anxiety in comparison to placebo, despite the fact that both resulted in higher levels of sedation. Clinicians should weigh the benefits and risks of premedication with these 2 drugs.Thai Clinical Trials Registry: TCTR20190424001 (24/04/2019) Registry URL: https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/ .

Successful Premedication With Sublingual Midazolam Using a Suction Toothbrush

Premedication is often used to reduce the stress associated with anesthesia-related procedures. However, in some cases, patients may not cooperate with medication delivery because of significant fear and anxiety. We report a case of an uncooperative patient with severe intellectual disabilities who was successfully premedicated with the unique technique of sublingual midazolam administration using a suction toothbrush. The 38-year-old male patient was planned to receive dental treatment under deep intravenous sedation (IVS), but he refused both intravenous cannulation and mask induction. Preanesthetic medication delivery using other routes was attempted but not accepted. As the patient tolerated toothbrushing, we used repeated practice with sublingual water administration through the toothbrush's suction hole to gradually desensitize the patient. Using that same method, sublingual midazolam was administered as a successful premedication to allow placement of a face mask for inhalational induction without distress and completion of the dental treatment under IVS. For patients who refuse other premedication routes, sublingual administration during toothbrushing with a suction toothbrush may provide a successful alternative.

The Utility of Various Pre-anesthetic Medications Based on Type of General Anesthesia

Background:

Premedication is used prior to surgery to reduce the adverse effects that might result from general anesthesia.

Objective:

This study was performed to examine the types and utility of various pre-anesthetic agents in 100 patients aged between 3 and 60 years who were admitted to Baladrooz General Hospital for different surgical operations during February (winter) and April (spring) 2021.

Methods:

A total of 62 patients received isoflurane, and 7 patients received sevoflurane, both by inhalational administration. The other 31 subjects were administered Marcaine (bupivacaine) by spinal anesthesia.

Results:

In this study, eight types of pre-anesthetic medication were administered prior to anesthesia, as follows: hydrocortisone (35 patients), metoclopramide (25 patients), atropine (13 patients), dexamethasone (12 patients), midazolam (7 patients), morphine (3 patients), ephedrine (3 patients), and fentanyl (2 patients). The most commonly used pre-anesthetic agent administered with isoflurane was hydrocortisone (37 patients), while the least used were fentanyl and morphine, which were administered to 3 patients each. Hydrocortisone was the premedication most often used (6 patients) with isoflurane, followed by dexamethasone, midazolam, and metoclopramide (5, 2, and 2 patients, respectively). The preanesthetic agent used most often with sevoflurane was hydrocortisone (6 patients), followed by dexamethasone (5 patients) and metoclopramide and midazolam (2 patients each). The premedication most commonly used with bupivacaine was metoclopramide (25 patients), while the least used was midazolam (2 patients).

Conclusion:

The study showed that several different pre-anesthetic drugs were used prior to anesthetic agents, which suggests that the selection of a pre-anesthetic drug depends on the risks that might be incurred when using a specific anesthetic drug.

Intraoperative impaired cerebrovascular autoregulation and delayed neurocognitive recovery after major oncologic surgery: a secondary analysis of pooled data

Cerebral blood flow is tightly regulated by cerebrovascular autoregulation (CVA), and intraoperative impairment of CVA has been linked with perioperative neurocognitive disorders. We aim to assess whether impairment of CVA during major oncologic surgery is associated with delayed neurocognitive recovery (DNCR) postoperatively. We performed a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data. Patients were included if they had undergone complete pre- and postoperative neuropsychological assessments, continuous intraoperative measurement of CVA, and major oncologic surgery for visceral, urological, or gynecological cancer. Intraoperative CVA was measured using the time-correlation method based on near-infrared-spectroscopy, and DNCR was assessed with a neuropsychological test battery. A decline in cognitive function before hospital discharge compared with a preoperative baseline assessment was defined as DNCR. One hundred ninety-five patients were included in the analysis. The median age of the study population was 65 years (IQR: 60–68); 11 patients (5.6%) were female. Forty-one patients (21.0%) fulfilled the criteria for DNCR in the early postoperative period. We found a significant association between impaired intraoperative CVA and DNCR before hospital discharge (OR = 1.042 [95% CI: 1.005; 1.080], p = 0.028). The type of surgery (radical prostatectomy vs. other major oncologic surgery; OR = 0.269 [95% CI: 0.099; 0.728], p = 0.010) and premedication with midazolam (OR = 3.360 [95% CI: 1.039; 10.870], p = 0.043) were significantly associated with the occurrence of DNCR in the early postoperative period. Intraoperative impairment of CVA is associated with postoperative neurocognitive function early after oncologic surgery. Therefore, intraoperative monitoring of CVA may be a target for neuroprotective interventions. The initial studies were retrospectively registered with primary clinical trial registries recognized by the World Health Organization (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: DRKS00010014, 21.03.2016 and NCT04101006, 24.07.2019).

Utilization of Pre-Anesthetic Medications for Major Surgical Procedures at a Tertiary Care Center: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction:

Drug utilization research is an important tool to analyze the use of drugs with special emphasis on medical, social, and economic consequences in society. This study aims to find out the utilization of pre-anesthetic medications in a major surgical procedure.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 15th April - 15th August 2019 in the postoperative ward at Birat Medical College and Teaching Hospital. The convenience sampling method was used after ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC) of Birat Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal. About 400 patients were studied. The collected data were entered into a statistical package for social science version 20 for further calculations at 95% Confidence Interval.

Results:

Out of 400 patients, 215 (53.8%) of patients were underwent into different major surgeries. All patients received midazolam 2 mg except children (1 mg) and Pethidine 25 mg along with 0.2 mg glycopyrrolate 352 (88%), ondansetron 276 (69%) and others 58 (14.5%) as a preanesthetic agent. For general anesthesia propofol, 30 mg have been utilized followed by fentanyl 306 (76.5%) and others (halothane, isoflurane, etc) 115 (28.8%). In case of prophylactic drug were ceftriaxone 500 mg, 100 mg metoclopramide 387 (96.8%), dexamethasone 251 (62.8%), tramadol 237 (59.3%), 15 mg ketorolac 368 (92%), ranitidine 163 (40.8%), and pantoprazole 237 (59.3%).

Conclusions:

The most commonly administered pre-anesthetic drugs were midazolam, pethidine, glycopyrrolate, and ondansetron. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting the patient within 24 hours after surgery was significantly very low.

Postoperative pain management in the postanesthesia care unit: an update

Acute postoperative pain remains a major problem, resulting in multiple undesirable outcomes if inadequately controlled. Most surgical patients spend their immediate postoperative period in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), where pain management, being unsatisfactory and requiring improvements, affects further recovery. Recent studies on postoperative pain management in the PACU were reviewed for the advances in assessments and treatments. More objective assessments of pain being independent of patients' participation may be potentially appropriate in the PACU, including photoplethysmography-derived parameters, analgesia nociception index, skin conductance, and pupillometry, although further studies are needed to confirm their utilities. Multimodal analgesia with different analgesics and techniques has been widely used. With theoretical basis of preventing central sensitization, preventive analgesia is increasingly common. New opioids are being developed with minimization of adverse effects of traditional opioids. More intravenous nonopioid analgesics and adjuncts (such as dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone) are introduced for their opioid-sparing effects. Current evidence suggests that regional analgesic techniques are effective in the reduction of pain and stay in the PACU. Being available alternatives to epidural analgesia, perineural techniques and infiltrative techniques including wound infiltration, transversus abdominis plane block, local infiltration analgesia, and intraperitoneal administration have played a more important role for their effectiveness and safety.

A Cross-Sectional Pharmacoepidemiological Study of the Utilization Pattern of Pre-Anesthetic Medications in Major Surgical Procedures in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective 

A study of the utilization pattern of pre-anesthetic medications in major surgical procedures.

Material and methods 

A cross-sectional, pharmacoepidemiological study was conducted among patients undergoing surgical procedures in routine or emergency conditions under general anesthesia. The utilization of pre-anesthetic medicines in all patients was reported.

Results

A total of 110 patients (mean age - 42.36 years; 57.27% males) were enrolled. The major (>10%) indications for surgery were carcinoma/tumor - 25 (22.73%), perforation peritonitis - 20 (18.18%), and intestinal obstruction - 11 (10%). All patients received ranitidine plus metoclopramide. Injections of ondansetron, midazolam, pentazocin, anticholinergic agents, and fentanyl were used in 103 (93.64%), 103 (93.64%), 92 (83.64%), 84 (76.36%), and 23 (20.91%) patients, respectively. The dosage of ondansetron was 4 mg in 95 patients (86.36%), while 89.09% patients received 1 mg of midazolam. In 86 patients (78.18%), pentazocine was used in a 15 mg dose. Among the anticholinergic agents, glycopyrrolate was used in 76 patients (69.09%). Glycopyrrolate was used in a 0.2 mg dose in 74 patients (97.37%). The major indications for the use of fentanyl were carcinoma - 8 (34.8%), perforation peritonitis - 4 (17.4%), and surgery for intestinal obstruction - 3 (13%).

Conclusion

The administration of ondansetron, midazolam, and pentazocin is very common (>80% patients) as pre-anesthetic medication. Glycopyrrolate was the preferred anticholinergic agent. In cancer patients, the use of fentanyl is common.

The effect of triazolam premedication on anxiety, sedation, and amnesia in general anesthesia

BACKGROUND

Benzodiazepines have been used preoperatively as part of an anesthesia regimen to attenuate the anxiety of patients. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of oral triazolam, a short-acting benzodiazepine, on anxiety, sedation, and amnesia.

METHODS

Ninety patients, aged 20-55 years, were randomly assigned to receive no premedication, or to receive triazolam 0.25 mg or 0.375 mg 1 h before anesthesia. Anxiety score, sedation score, blood pressure, heart rate and psychomotor performance were measured on the evening before surgery and on the day of surgery. Additional tests of psychomotor performance were performed in the postanesthesia care unit and on the next day of surgery. The occurrence of amnesia, bispectral index (BIS), recovery profiles and patient satisfaction with overall anesthesia care were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Changes in the anxiety and sedation scores on the day of surgery were not significantly different among groups, whereas the increases in systolic blood pressure and heart rate were significantly less in both triazolam groups. The triazolam groups both showed a higher incidence of high satisfaction scores (≥ 2). The two triazolam groups also showed similar outcomes, except for a dose-dependent increase in the number of patients with amnesia and BIS values < 90. Delayed recovery from general anesthesia and psychomotor impairment were not observed in the triazolam groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Triazolam 0.25 mg or 0.375 mg reduced the hemodynamic changes associated with anxiety, produced potent amnesia, and improved patient satisfaction. We suggest that triazolam can be used effectively as anesthetic premedication in adults.