MIDAZOLAM REDUCES VOMITING AFTER TONSILLECTOMY IN CHILDREN

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of midazolam on vom iting after tonsillectomy in children. We compared 215 children aged 1 .5-14 yr undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy under general anaesthesia with nitrous oxide and halothane. In a double-blind fashio n the subjects were administered either placebo or midazolam 75 mu g.k g(-1) iv after induction of anaesthesia. After the operation, the numb er of emetic episodes and the length of stay in hospital were recorded . The groups were similar with respect to age, weight, sex, mode of in duction, duration of anaesthesia, surgical procedure, opioid administr ation and length of stay in the PAR and the Day Care Surgical Unit. Th e 108 midazolam-treated children had a lower incidence (42% vs 57%) of vomiting than the placebo group, P < 0.02. The placebo group had a hi gher incidence (9% vs 2% of unscheduled admissions to hospital due to nausea and vomiting, P < 0.05. It is concluded that midazolam administ ered intravenously to children intraoperatively reduces vomiting after tonsillectomy.