Evaluation of oral midazolam as pre-medication in day care surgery in adult Pakistani patients.

A placebo controlled randomized double blind study was designed to assess the suitability of oral Midazolam as a premedication in day care surgery in adult Pakistani patients. Fifty ASA I and II patients aged between 20-60 years received either Midazolam 7.5 mg or a placebo approximately one hour prior to surgery. Midazolam 7.5 mg produced significant anxiolysis and sedation (p < 0.001) in comparison to placebo after one hour of premedication. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the mean heart rate and blood pressure in both groups after 1 hour of premedication with a lesser rise in blood pressure and heart rate in the Midazolam group. Psychomotor performance assessed by 'n' deletion test was impaired by Midazolam (p < 0.001) and recall of pictures revealed differences (p < 0.05) in the groups at one hour after premedication. However, at four hours after surgery there were no differences in both groups. These findings indicate that rapidly acting oral Midazolam in doses of 7.5 mg provided safe and effective premedication in terms of anxiolysis, sedation, amnesia and psychomotor performance and is suitable for day surgery.