The sedative effects of intranasal midazolam administration in the dental treatment of patients with mental disabilities. Part 2: optimal concentration of intranasal midazolam.

In a previous paper, we reported on the effect of a 0.2 mg/kg dose of midazolam, administered intranasally, prior to performing various restorative dental procedures on a group of mentally disabled patients under local anesthesia and nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and possible adverse effect of doses of 0.2 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg midazolam, administered intranasally, and to determine the most appropriate concentration for the drug when administered by this route. Patients were assessed by a behavioral test which consisted of a scale from 1-7 with 3 ranges: markedly effective (1-3), effective (4-5) or ineffective (6-7). Forty-three mentally handicapped patients, aged 5 to 20 years, all of whom had previously exhibited highly combative and resistant behavior toward dental treatment under local anesthesia, were stratified by age and randomly assigned in a double blind manner to two groups, receiving either 0.2 mg/kg or 0.3 mg/kg midazolam administered intranasally. Group 1, consisting of 22 patients, average age 11 years 8 months, received 0.2 mg/kg. Group 2 consisted of 21 patients, average age 13 years 8 months, each of whom was administered 0.3 mg/kg intranasal midazolam. Only patients assessed as ASA anesthesia status I or II were admitted to the study. Subsequent to intranasal administration of midazolam, no patient rejected the nasal mask nor refused to inhale nitrous oxide/oxygen. The induction of nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation and oral examination were effected smoothly in every case in the two groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)