Prospective study of venous complications following intravenous diazepam in dental outpatients.

The incidence of venous complications following intravenous diazepam administered to 190 dental out-patients was investigated in a prospective, randomized study. The administration into the smaller veins of the hand and forearm resulted in a significant increase in the incidence of thrombophlebitis. Use of a plastic catheter in place of an infusion needle or flushing with 150 ml of saline did not alter the incidence of venous complications. These results suggest that use of the larger veins of the antecubital fossa can lower the incidence of venous complications encountered in clinical practice following the intravenous administration of diazepam. These findings also suggest that use of a plastic catheter or post-drug administration flushing with saline does not affect the incidence of venous complications.