Oral premedication in children. A comparison of trimeprazine with a trimeprazine, droperidol and methadone mixture.

One hundred children who presented for minor general surgical procedures were randomly assigned to receive one of two oral premedications. Those in group A (n = 50) were given 3 mg/kg of trimeprazine and those in group B (n = 50) a mixture of trimeprazine 1.0 mg/kg, droperidol 0.15 mg/kg and methadone 0.08 mg/kg. Patients in group B were more likely to be asleep on arrival in the anaesthetic room (p less than 0.02) and were less likely to be distressed at induction of anaesthesia (p less than 0.02). Thiopentone requirements were less in group B (p less than 0.001). The incidence of side effects was similar in the two groups. It is concluded that the mixture produces more satisfactory sedation than trimeprazine.